BOSTON – Yao Ming played the perfect game Wednesday night.

In the first game of the Chinese Basketball Association championship round, the 7-6 center who’s expected to be one of the top two picks in the NBA draft, shot 21 of 21 from the field in Shanghai’s 127-125 loss to the Chinese Army team, Bayi. Ming finished with 49 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and three steals.

Next month, Chinese officials reportedly will allow Ming to visit the U.S. for 10 days and work out for about half-dozen teams. The Knicks are expected to be on his agenda.