OKLAHOMA CITY.  After missing three straight games due to a left knee injury, Houston guard Tracy McGrady responded to criticism from teammate Yao Ming by scoring 26 points, including two critical free throws down the stretch, to power the Rockets to a 98-96 victory over the Thunder last night.

McGrady and Ming-or is it Yao?

Before the game, Houston center Yao Ming challenged McGrady to step up his game or step down as team leader, alleging that the seven-time All-Star had been "xiao-ing" (dogging) it during his recent injury.  Yao's complaint?  "T-Mac has no liver," the Chinese center told reporters, speaking without a translator.

"I have not been xiao-ing it!"

"What's he talking about?" was McGrady's reaction.  "If I didn't have a liver how the hell could I convert glucose into glycogen?"

The liver, without onions.

Asked to elaborate, Yao explained that the Chinese consider the liver-not the heart-to be the seat of human emotions and the source of inner strength.  "For 4,000 years Chinese know that emotions go as liver goes.  T-Mac should suck it up-that is all I am saying."

Heart = Liver

Yao substantiated his claim by showing reporters a pirated Chinese CD of the mid-70's girl group "Heart".  The rock band's name was translated as "Liver".

Battier:  "No, seriously-you can have one of mine."

The charges are sure to divide a team desperately in need of unity.  Shane Battier came to McGrady's defense and pledged to donate one of his livers to the Rocket's leading scorer.  When informed that the human body contains only one such organ, Battier rescinded his offer.  "I thought they were like kidneys-you know, everybody starts out with a pair."

Adelman:  "Show some heart.  Or liver.  Even some spleen."

Coach Rick Adelman suggested that McGrady take time off to deal with his personal issues, and Yao seconded that notion.  "He should go to China where harvested body parts are plentiful.  He could get a liver for the price of Peking duck at a good restaurant."