NBA – Yao stands tall as Rockets defeat Magic in key battle

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HOUSTON (NBA) - China center Yao Ming won his showdown with USA big man Dwight Howard of Orlando on Tuesday night to lead the Houston Rockets to an important 93-83 win.

Yao had 20 points and 16 rebounds as Houston improved to 50-28 and remained a half-game behind third-place San Antonio in the Western Conference.

San Antonio (50-27), whose Argentina guard Manu Ginobili was ruled out for the season and play-offs on Monday because of an ankle injury, won their game at Oklahoma City 99-89.

Howard, like Yao a big star at last year's Olympics in Beijing, had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Magic fell to 57-20 with the loss and are now a game behind Boston (58-19), who are second in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland (62-15).

In the Spurs' victory, Tim Duncan's 25 points and 15 rebounds and French point guard Tony Parker's 21 points and 10 assists were decisive.

Spain's Rudy Fernandez drilled three of six shots from long range and finished with 15 points in 18 minutes off the bench for Portland (49-28) as the Trail Blazers prevailed on the road at Memphis 96-93.

Portland are fifth in the Western Conference and just a half-game behind Houston, but also only a game in front of New Orleans (48-29) who clinched a post-season spot on Tuesday with a 93-87 overtime triumph over Miami (41-37).

USA international point guard Chris Paul scored 26 points, handed out nine assists and grabbed nine rebounds for the Hornets.

In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls (38-40) moved a half-game clear of idle Detroit with a 110-103 triumph over New York.

Chicago won despite shooting just 43.3% (39 of 90) from the floor.

John Salmons led a balanced attack with 19 points.

Charlotte prevailed 101-98 at home over Philadelphia and trail eighth-place Detroit by two and a half games.

Other results: Atlanta 118 Toronto 110, LA Lakers 122 Sacramento 104, Minnesota 87 LA Clippers 77.

FIBA