The AP reports: Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets’ 7-foot-6 center, left Friday night’s game because of a sore right knee and did not play after halftime. The Pacers made 26 free throws in the second half of their 107-102 victory… Houston already was missing Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest because of injuries. Artest missed his 13th game of the season because a bone bruise in his right ankle. McGrady sat out his 16th game with a sore left knee. Luis Scola, who scored a career-high 25 points for the Rockets, said the injuries weren’t an excuse for failing to play better in the second half… Indiana led 50-40 at halftime before holding the Rockets at bay with the free throws. Danny Granger scored 12 of his 25 points from the line, and T.J. Ford scored 13 of his 21 points on free throws. Troy Murphy had 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Pacers, who snapped a two-game losing skid. Carl Landry and Rafer Alston each scored 17 points for the Rockets, who had won three straight.
