Los Angeles (AFP) - James Harden scored 16 points and handed out 10 assists as the Houston Rockets launched their NBA pre-season with a 131-94 rout of Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks.
While Yao, who starred with the Rockets for eight NBA seasons, received a warm welcome in Houston, his China Basketball Association club were in for a rougher ride in the first game between teams from the two leagues to be held in the United States.
Yao, 36, quipped that he'd suggested to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey that coach Mike D'Antoni "use four players against us.