WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Houston Rockets center Yao Mingand Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat still lead other players inthe Western Conference and Eastern Conference in votes received after the third returns of the 2005 NBA All-Star balloting programon Thursday.

    Yao had received 1,888,533 votes, putting him well on his way to a third All-Star selection in as many seasons with the Rockets.

    The Chinese giant has a 1.6 million-vote cushion over Sacramento's Brad Miller among Western Conference centers.

    He also has received more than 70,000 votes more than ShaquilleO'Neal, who leads all Easter Conference players with 1,817,828 votes.

    The All-Star Game will be played on February 20 in Denver, Colorado.

    Minnesota's Kevin Garnett (1,545,544) and San Antonio's Tim Duncan (1,224,697) pace Western Conference forwards, with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki a distant third (631,226).

    Houston's Tracy McGrady (1,469,005) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (1,362,409) lead Western Conference guards. Phoenixguard Steve Nash is third at the position with 770,268 votes.

    O'Neal has a commanding advantage at his position, leading Detroit center Ben Wallace by more than 1.25 million votes.

    Vince Carter of New Jersey leads forwards in the East with 1,294,646 votes. He has a lead of more than 175,000 votes over Orlando's Grant Hill. Indiana forward Jermaine O'Neal is third at the position with 971,019 votes, more than 147,000 behind Hill.

    Among Eastern Conference guards, Philadelphia's Allen Iverson (1,154,074) took the lead from Cleveland's LeBron James (1,151,688).Miami's Dwyane Wade is third (850,845).

    Voting continues through January 23 and the starters will be announced on February 3.