Sports

Yao has fuel left for playoff run

The NBA Report

Daniel R. Huron

The most daunting task for any NBA rookie isnit competing with the best players in the world; itis surviving the 82-game schedule.

In Mondayis loss to the Nets, Houstonis Rookie of the Year candidate Yao Ming shot 8-for-11 and had 24 points. It was the first time in five games he had a 20-plus-point game.

In those previous five games, Ming averaged 7.6 points, and the Rockets went 2-3.

Ming, who hasnit missed a game this season and averages 29.1 minutes per game, is a key component to Houstonis playoff aspirations. His passing, rebounding and defensive skills have helped the Rockets get to within one game of Phoenix and the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

But Mondayis game seems to suggest a pattern with Ming. Two other times during this season, he has fought fatigue and won. Just when it seems he has nothing left to contribute, Ming has been able to bounce back with an outstanding game.

If the playoffs are in the teamis future, the Rockets will need him to continue his productivity for the remainder of the season.

More on the Rockets

Houstonis long-time coach Rudy Tomjanovich decided March 26 to take an indefinite leave from the team to deal with bladder cancer.

"At this critical part of the season, this team, any team, needs a coach who has got to give 100 percent of his thoughts to helping the team," Tomjanovich told The Associated Press. "As much as I love this team, I know my thoughts would be on some other things."

The 54-year-old coach was diagnosed with the disease March 19 and has not coached the Rockets since March 17. He will undergo outpatient treatments every two weeks. Team doctors said surgery will not be necessary.

Assistant coach Larry Smith will continue to act as head coach until Tomjanovich returns.

The good and the bad

With 1,291 victories, Toronto head coach Lenny Wilkens holds the record for most wins in NBA history.

With 1,106 losses, he is one game away from holding the record for most losses. 

Wilkens, in his 30th season as a head coach, tied current record holder Bill Fitch when his Raptors lost to the Pistons 92-85 Tuesday.

Wild and crazy guy

Mark Cuban has lost his mind.

During the second period of Tuesdayis Dallas/New Orleans game, the outspoken Mavericksi owner stepped onto the court and began to exchange words with one of the game officials.

To the shock of everyone in the American Airlines Center, Cuban pushed the referee. The referee pushed back.

Thatis when Cuban charged and the official put him in a headlock.

Players on the benches stood up. The crowd murmured with excitement and confusion. Assistant coach Del Harris screamed in outrage.

And then Cuban and the official began to laugh.

April fools!

The benches exploded in laughter. The crowd murmured with amusement and confusion. And Harris, after standing dumbfounded, began to smile.

Cuban and what turned out to be a fake official: Two wild and crazy guys.

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