USA Today: Yao vs Bradley

Rockets-Mavs matchup is a tall order

By David DuPree, USA TODAY

Normally, a Houston Rockets-Dallas Mavericks matchup wouldn't be much to get excited about. But times sure have changed.

When the teams meet tonight at Dallas, not only will the eyes of Texas be upon them, but the eyes of the entire NBA, as well. The fact that the Mavericks are the league's lone undefeated team and the Rockets are one of its most improved is one subplot, but the most compelling could be the matchup between the league's tallest players — 7-6 Shawn Bradley of Dallas and 7-5 Yao Ming of Houston.

Yao, from China, was the top pick in the last draft and after a slow, stumbling start has missed only two shots the last four games (21-for-23). The 21 baskets: eight dunks, eight layups, four jumpers and a hook.

Bradley, starting for injured Raef LaFrentz, has never been more effective. "He's gotten the attention of everybody on the squad," says Dallas coach Don Nelson. "He's got the respect back that he lost last year."

After averaging 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds while looking like he was not ready to play, Bradley worked hard in the offseason. He is averaging 10.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, shooting 62% from the field and is fifth in the league in blocks (2.82).

Yao was the subject of much laughter after highlights Friday showed him falling down backward guarding Phoenix guard Stephon Marbury, who used a crossover dribble move to stump him. Yao came back Sunday, however, and went 9-for-9 from the field against the Los Angeles Lakers and then 4-for-5 Monday against Cleveland. The Rockets (6-3) won both games and are second in the Midwest Division behind 11-0 Dallas.

"This is an individual who can clearly play the game. He's no circus act," the Lakers' Rick Fox says of Yao.

The Mavericks' streak is the sixth-best start in league history, and the road gets tougher as they chase the record (15-0). Their next four opponents — Houston, Seattle, Detroit and Indiana — have a combined 32-10 record. "That's a tough thing to do," guard Michael Finley says of his team's streak, "not just for our organization, but for any team in the league."