Player of the Night
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
vs. Detroit Pistons
31 points, 15 boards, 2 dimes, 4 blocks
You have awoken the sleeping giant, and we couldn't be happier about it.
Ming looked as dominant as ever Wednesday night, owning the paint and showing a nice touch around the basket.
Will this kind of production continue?
Follow along after the jump...
The honest answer to that question is no, you can't expect Yao to pop off for 30 points very often down the stretch.
He's averaging one 30-point performance a month in 2009, topping out at 33 against the Golden State Warriors back on December 5. But Yao looks much more comfortable on the court without former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady in the lineup.
Even more importantly, the improved play of Luis Scola has taken the defensive burden off of Yao. This allows him to focus only on his assignment instead of expending energy trying to make up for the mistakes of teammates.
In the eleven games Yao's played in March, he's had three or more blocks and double digit rebounds on six different occasions.
The Rockets have a realistic shot at catching the San Antonio Spurs for the second seed in the West and it will fall on Yao's shoulders if they want to succeed.
Nothing but good things for you.
Top Performers
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
vs. Miami Heat
36 points, 5 dimes, 11 boards
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
vs. Milwaukee Bucks
28 points, 12 dimes, 7 boards, 2 blocks
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
vs. Portland Trailblazers
35 points, 10 boards, 2 blocks, 5-for-9 from long distance
Bust of the Night
T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers
vs. Portland Trailblazers
8 points, 4 boards, 6 dimes, 5 TO, 4-for-14 from the floor
While it's been nice to see Ford reestablish himself as one of the better fantasy point guards this season, this performance was one we would like to quickly forget.
Top Scorers
36 - Pierce, Celtics
35 - Granger, Pacers
35 - Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
31 - Ming, Rockets
30 - Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
30 - Rashad McCants, Kings
Top Dime Droppers
20 - Baron Davis, Clippers
12 - Chauncey Billups, Nuggets
10 - Chris Paul, Hornets
10 - Steve Nash, Suns
10 - Rajon Rondo, Celtics
10 - Rodney Stuckey, Pistons
10 - Mike Conley Jr., Grizzlies
Top Rebounders
20 - McDyess, Pistons
15 - Ming, Rockets
13 - Nick Collison, Thunder
12 - Howard, Magic
12 - Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
12 - Kwame Brown, Pistons
12 - Renaldo Balkman, Nuggets
Matt Wood is a web editor for 
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