Rockets center Yao Ming was relatively happy with his conditioning, considering the time he was out, and thrilled to be pain-free. But he said he was dissatisfied with his play in the first game after missing 21 with a toe infection and surgery.

"I never had, for that much time, missed games and then come back," Yao said. "I think I'm in good shape because I practiced for three weeks. I think the level of the game, my level, is not at game condition. I'm not trying to find an excuse for myself, but it's true.

"On defense, on coverages, sometimes I did not close to my man. I was always one step behind.

"I have to keep working on conditioning and footwork. There's only one way to go."

Yao made half his 14 shots, scoring 15 points with eight rebounds in 33 minutes.