Dallas ? Classic NBA matchups: Russell vs. Chamberlain. Bird vs. Magic.

Shaq vs. Yao?

History must answer that question. But if these two giants from opposite ends of the globe do produce the NBA’s latest one-on-one marquee showdown, then mark today’s game between the Rockets and Lakers at Houston’s Compaq Center as the official debut.

Even Yao, the Rockets’ 7-foot-6 rookie center from China, understands that the 38th game of his NBA career will be unlike his first 37. That’s because Shaquille O’Neal will be unlike any other opponent he’s ever faced.

“I’m not going to be looking at it as a normal game,” Yao recently said through his interpreter. “I’m going to look at it as a more important game.”

The league thrives on marketing one-on-one matchups, so it’s no surprise that special interest is being paid to today’s game. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN at 8:30 p.m., an overload of media coverage is expected and tickets are at a premium. Two seats behind the visitors’ bench reached the $1,000 range Thursday on eBay.

There hasn’t been this kind of pre-game buildup since, let’s say, Wednesday’s game between the Mavericks and Kings in Sacramento. That game between the Western Conference’s two best teams turned into a lopsided affair for the Kings.

Today’s game between the Western Conference’s two best centers could well end up in similar fashion.

L.A. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal slams home a vicious dunk during a game earlier this season. Tonight marks the first matchup between O'Neal and Rockets rookie center Yao Ming.

O’Neal, still trying to fend off criticism after he made fun of Yao by mocking the Chinese language, will come in highly motivated. Not only will he probably lose his spot as the West’s starting All-Star center when final voting is announced Thursday, but also O’Neal will want to set a tone that he can push around the new kid on the block.

“I’ve played against both Shaq and Yao Ming,” said Phoenix Suns rookie Amare Stoudemire. “Shaq is a monster, and Yao is developing. Look for Shaq to have a big game.”

The 7-6 Yao knows that while he has the height advantage on the 7-1 O’Neal, he’s also giving up about 40 pounds. While Yao does have a sturdy lower body, Lakers coach Phil Jackson has joked that Shaq could break Yao in two.

Expect Shaq to be at his most physical, to see if Yao can measure up to the rigors of an NBA beating.

“He hasn’t gone up against the Boom Boom yet,” said Shaq, who was sidelined from toe surgery the first time the Rockets and Lakers played this season.

Is Yao ready for the kind of punishment O’Neal plans to dish out? Even the rookie has his doubts.

“I think I need a suit of armor for Friday night,” he said.