INQUIRER Sports

HOUSTON, Texas -- Yao Ming scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds and Tracy McGrady provided a boost off the bench Monday to lead the Houston Rockets over Seattle 96-89 in a National Basketball Association game.

While the Chinese superstar center led the way it was McGrady, a reserve since returning from a bone bruise and tendinitis after missing 12 games, who helped the Rockets stretch their lead in the third quarter.

McGrady scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and passed off five assists and teammates joked he would be the first man off the bench the rest of the season, which might turn out to be more than a laughing proposition.

"That's my new job," McGrady said. "You've got to approach the game in a different way. The speed of the game is already going on, the guys got their legs and their rhythm.

"I'm coming off the bench and I'm struggling with one leg anyway, trying to keep up with these guys. Today [the knee] was really bad. Not only was I tight, I had pain in my knee. It's going to be that way because I can't rest and let it heal all the way up. It's something I'm going to have to tolerate," said McGrady.

McGrady said he is about 75 percent healthy and wants to build his endurance and game fitness back carefully as the Rockets, 22-19, enter the second half of the season.

"We're going to have to go on a [heck] of a run. We're capable of doing it," McGrady said. "It's good I played so many minutes. I was able to stay out there when I was really tired. During the game I kind of forgot about it. But at times I can't help it. Certain movements are restricted. I have to deal with it."

McGrady was yanked in the closing minutes, reinserted when the Sonics rallied and added five points and a block to end the last threat as Seattle suffered an 11th loss in a row.

"Without Tracy McGrady, it takes a huge part of your game away," Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "They can take Yao out with the double team. But Tracy can spread the court. We have to see how far [he] can go."

McGrady was uncertain when he might be well enough to return to the starting lineup.

"I felt that's what my team was missing without me, being able to create shots for guys," McGrady said. "Being able to get to the bucket. If I don't make the shot, I still bring attention to myself, let Yao and those guys get the offensive rebounds. I just wanted to assert myself in the fourth quarter.

Seattle forwards Kurt Thomas and Nick Collison were forced to guard Yao much of the night and were clearly outmatched.

"The only one that compares with Yao is [Shaquille O'Neal]," Thomas said. "He has such great touch and shooting ability. He is a great free-throw shooter and almost automatic."