Orlando centre Dwight Howard (left) going past Houston's Yao Ming to score. But overall, Yao got the better of Howard, scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds in his team's triumph. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Houston Rockets 100 Orlando Magic 95
ORLANDO: Dwight Howard might be regarded as the best centre in the National Basketball Association by the end of this season, but Yao Ming let him know that debate still has some way to go before it is settled.
Yao, Houston's 2.28m NBA All-Star, outplayed Howard in nearly every phase on Saturday, scoring 22 points and taking down 13 rebounds while carrying a tired Rockets team to a 100-95 victory over Howard and the Orlando Magic.
The Rockets got 17 points each from Tracy McGrady and Rafer Alston, and 11 apiece from Ron Artest and Carl Landry. Houston shot 54 per cent in the second half to break open a close contest and win for the fourth time in the last five games.
'We did what we wanted to do offensively,' Houston coach Rick Adelman said. 'If we get the ball to Yao, it opens up a lot of things. He has such an impact on the game.'
Yao, who missed a game earlier this week with a sore foot, said he was trying to take up the slack for McGrady, who still does not appear to be moving well after knee surgery.
'Tracy did so much for our team last year when I was out, so I'm trying to pay him back,' Yao said.
The Chinese hit nine of 15 shots from the field and made all four free throws while working almost exclusively in the lane and putting Howard in serious foul trouble.
The Magic centre played only seven minutes in the first half when he had three fouls. He picked up his fourth foul a minute into the second half and was tentative the rest of the way in defending the interior of the Orlando defence.
'He's a tough guy to guard,' Howard said. 'He's very gifted, he shoots extremely well and that sets up everything else in his game. I learn a lot every time I play him.'
Orlando had a few chances to separate themselves from Houston in the second half, but could not find a hot hand. The Magic shot just 31.7 per cent in the last two periods and could not sustain a modest 82-79 lead they held with eight minutes left.
The Magic made only three field goals the rest of the way, the last a meaningless three-pointer by Rashard Lewis with two seconds left.
Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 21 points and six assists, and Lewis added 18 points, but the Magic shot only 40.7 per cent.
