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Turnovers bother Yao

By JONATHAN FEIGEN (Houston Chronicle)
Updated: 2007-03-22 15:11

Yao Ming's most productive all-around game since he returned from a fractured leg — 32 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots against the Pacers on Tuesday — would suggest a successful step in his comeback. But it was another large number that was on his mind.

"My turnovers," Yao said. "I had six, five in the first (half). Very high numbers. I'm sure (assistant head coach) Tom Thibodeaux will have those clips tomorrow, and I'm going to spend an hour watching those turnovers. It's really frustrating me, those turnovers, particularly in the first half."

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said Indiana excels at forcing turnovers but that Yao's sixth was committed with the sort of mistake he had been making in the first half.

"It's on us as a coaching staff to teach better so he understands better the more he dribbles, the less efficient," Van Gundy said. "The less he dribbles, the more efficient, especially against smaller, quicker defenders."

Billups probable
All-Star Chauncey Billups, who has missed the last two games with a strained groin muscle, practiced Wednesday, and Detroit coach Flip Saunders said he would be surprised if Billups did not play today.

"They're playing extremely well on the road right now," said Rockets forward Shane Battier, noting the Pistons' six-game road win streak. "They're probably the hottest road team out there. They're playing at a high level.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Eastern Conference finals or NBA Finals. They're the best team in the East right now."

So close and yet so far
Rockets guard Tracy McGrady was called for a late loose-ball foul on a rebound Tuesday, taking away a board that would have given him his first triple-double as a Rocket.

"I haven't had a triple-double in God knows how long," McGrady said. "I was very excited about getting one. They told me. I knew. I was trying to get it."

Pistons update
Only Dallas and Phoenix have better road records than Detroit, which swept a five-game Western Conference road trip and owns a six-game road winning streak. All-Star guard Chauncey Billups is expected back from a strained groin muscle.

Rockets update
They have won seven of their past eight games. They have a six-game losing streak against the Pistons, however. The Rockets faded in the fourth quarter in Detroit in November, but Yao Ming had one of his best early-season games, scoring 33 points to go with 16 rebounds.

Check out
The Pistons' defense on Yao Ming. Either Chris Webber or Rasheed Wallace will likely get double-team help.

Statistically speaking
The Pistons are 22-8 since signing Chris Webber as a free agent.