Yao Ming heads back to All-Star Game

NEW YORK: Houston Rockets center Yao Ming was voted into the National Basketball Association All-Star Game by fans for the sixth straight year in balloting for the starters announced on Thursday.

Yao, who was unable to play despite his selection last year because of injury, will be joined in the Western Conference frontcourt by Tim Duncan, the superstar of reigning NBA champions San Antonio who will be making his 10th straight appearance in the mid-season showcase.

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett led all players in votes received. Garnett, a 13-year veteran, is averaging 19.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in helping the 33-7 Celtics to the best mark in the NBA, one year after they finished with the second-worst mark.