Yao's Rockets rout Yi's Bucks 104-88

Yao's Rockets rout Yi's Bucks 104-88

Milwaukee Bucks Yi Jianlian (L) of China and Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (R) battle for position in the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game Nov. 9, 2007. The Rockets beat the Bucks 104-88.

BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- "Yao" is longer than "Yi", and Houston Rockets showed it in a 104-88 victory over visiting Milwaukee Bucks with Yao's 28 points Saturday morning.

Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian each had their good performance in the much-anticipated first matchup of two best basketball players from China.

Milwaukee Bucks Yi Jianlian (L) of China and Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (R) battle for position in the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game Nov. 9, 2007.

Yao, the all-star player of Houston Rockets, had 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Yi, the sixth pick of draft 2007 by Milwaukee Bucks, had 19 points and nine rebounds. Yao's Rockets routed Yi's Bucks 104-88 on Saturday morning.

Over 200 million watched the game from TV or websites. The game starting early in the morning was an enormous event here.

Before the game, Yao and Yi shook hands at midcourt and posed for many reporters, including many Chinese photographers. It was a staged photo opportunity, and Yao waited a few minutes before Yi came out of the Bucks locker room. With a kidding smile, Yao said afterward, "You know what? Rookies should not do that."

The two slapped hands and smiled before the opening tip. The game began. Both players had impressive performance in the game. Big Yao is as good as usual and he dominated the paint in the game.