Rockets to limit Yao's playing time

All-star center will be on court for about 24 minutes every game in the new season

HOUSTON, Texas - The NBA's Houston Rockets will limit Yao Ming to 24 minutes per game this season as they seek to keep the towering Chinese star healthy, the Houston Chronicle reported on Thursday.

Rockets vice president and athletic trainer Keith Jones told the newspaper the plan had been put in place on the advice of Yao's doctor and would be strictly followed.