Yao Ming had 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat Milwaukee 91-83 in just the second meeting between the giant center and his Chinese compatriot Yi Jianlian.
With Milwaukee's arena decorated for an early Chinese New Year, neither Chinese player stood out in a game that was expected to be watched by a huge television audience in China.
Their first NBA meeting last November drew between an estimated 100 and 200 million viewers, while Saturday's was televised live by three Chinese networks, and delayed on a fourth.
An estimated 200 million watched the game worldwide - more than are expected to watch Sunday's American gridiron championship Super Bowl.
"It's very exciting to have that number of fans watching," Yao said. "Both of us struggled a little bit, but we got the win. It is big but, to be honest, I was more nervous (Friday). That felt like a playoff game."
Yao, hindered by first-half foul trouble and a slight ankle injury, scored just 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Houston, which completed its third consecutive season-series sweep of Milwaukee.
Yi, who is in his first NBA season, finished with a respectable six points for the Bucks, who are losers of 10 of their last 13 games.
"As far as we're concerned, it's a regular-season game," Yi said. "There are a lot of Chinese fans watching this game, but it's just a regular-season game."
While attention was on the Chinese duo, Houston's Tracy McGrady scored 33 points with 11 rebounds and six assists to lead his side to its third successive win.
"It was a tough game," said Houston coach Rick Adelman. "We played really well in the fourth quarter and Tracy really turned it on."
Neither Yao nor Yi was able to get off to a fast start.
Yao managed just three points with three turnovers in the first half,.
Yi made just 1-of-6 shots for six points before intermission.
"I thought maybe eight of his shots were pretty good shots, they just didn't go in," Milwaukee coach Larry Krystkowiak told reporters. "I'm sure he's not happy with his performance, but I wouldn't say he's pressing.
"It's a situation where we're in a rookie season. There are going to be some ups and downs and it's something he can grow from."
Yao and the Rockets won the first meeting between the Chinese stars 104-88 on November 9 in Houston.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.
