"We've got to make sure that we make him pay on the defensive end, get him in screen-and-roll and do some stuff," McHale said Friday. "Yao is huge, a huge force for them out there."

Listed at 6-10, Wolves center Al Jefferson gives away eight inches to Yao, but this apparently will be another night off for 7-footer Jason Collins, who started nine games under former coach Randy Wittman but hasn't played in the past six.

Collins had a long talk after practice with McHale, who said he wants to use this tough part of the schedule to indoctrinate his young players on what it takes to play in the NBA on a nightly basis.

"It's my job to stay professional and always be ready," Collins said. "When coach calls me, I'll be ready."

The veteran Collins provided a brief scouting report, however, on how to play Yao, who was averaging a team-high 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Rockets heading into Friday night's game against Sacramento.

"He's definitely improved over the years," Collins said. "You have to meet him early, similar to Shaq (O'Neal). As soon as he crosses the three-point line, that's when the confrontation has to begin. Push him away from the basket and know where your help is coming from."

If that doesn't work, there's always the option of going zone, which the Wolves worked on during Friday's practice.

"I would like to get our man-to-man tied in a little bit more," McHale said, "but we're going to have to maybe play some zone and do some stuff. It's all a process. I think the team has almost exclusively done man-to-man. I agree your man-to-man has got to be your primary, but throw in some zone every once in a while."

Man or zone, the Wolves will have their hands full with Yao, who is in his seventh NBA season and has developed into a solid all-around player.

"He's just got better," McHale said. "I remember Yao's first two months, people were questioning how good he'd be. I'm like, 'Geez, the guy's from China. He's a young kid, first time over in America. Give him two or three or four years to let him get his feet under his belt, especially for big guys, and he'll be fine.' "

Talking it out: Forward Craig Smith said Thursday's players-only meeting was a group decision and that it was good to clear the air.

"It's always good to talk things out, to have that communication factor," he said. "That's with anything in life, especially with your job. If something's not going right, you've got to say something."

Not much has gone right this season for Wolves (4-21), who are 0-6 under McHale and have lost 11 consecutive games, five short of the team record.

Smith said there was no single theme to the meeting and that the tone was generally positive.

"It has to be, but at the same time things need to be said and people don't need to take offense at it," he said. "That's just part of communication. It's being honest and being real. Everybody needs to hold each other accountable for situations. We're a growing team. We know we're going through a funk, but we've got to pick it up and stay together."

Triple trouble: Yao isn't the only weapon for the Rockets, who have two other big-time scoring threats in Tracy McGrady (16.5 points per game) and Ron Artest (16.0).

Houston, which took a 16-9 record into Friday night's game, has won four straight against the Wolves.

Birthday boy: Friday was McHale's 51st birthday, but he said rookie Kevin Love wouldn't be singing 'Happy Birthday' to him, as he has for the veteran players.

"That's just for the players," McHale said. "I don't need those guys reminding me it's my birthday."