USA - Yao powers Rockets to win

WASHINGTON (NBA) - China center Yao Ming scored 23 of his season-high 38 points in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets held on for a 114-109 victory over the Washington Wizards, who wasted 41 points from Gilbert Arenas.

Rockets' Tracy McGrady scored 28 points but left midway through the fourth quarter with a back injury as Houston swept the season series. Overall, Houston has won two in a row, four of five and eight of 10.

It was the fourth 40-point game of the season - all at home - for Arenas, who scored all of his points in the final three quarters.

There was a delay due to a partial electrical failure after the third period, but Yao provided plenty of power as he made 13-of-19 shots and 12-of-14 free throws, also grabbing 11 rebounds.

French forward Mickael Pietrus and Latvian Andris Biendrins poured in the points as Golden State Warriors held Chris Paul in check and ended a four-game losing streak with a 101-80 victory over struggling New Orleans Hornets.

Pietrus scored 22 points for the Warriors, who shot 49% (41-of-83) from the field and dished out 29 assists.

Germany star Dirk Nowitzki poured in 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks triumphed 105-90 over the Denver Nuggets.

Josh Howard scored a career-high 30 points in three quarters and Jason Terry continued to emerge from a slump with 24.

The Mavericks shot 49% (41-of-83) from the field and used their customary quick start to ambush the Nuggets, who began a five-game road trip with another loss in Dallas. Denver has lost on 17 of their last 18 visits to Dallas.

Eddy Curry scored a career-high 36 points, including a basket in a decisive late run, as the New York Knicks registered a rare home win with a 115-107 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jamal Crawford contributed 25 points and Nate Robinson added 22 for the Knicks, who shot a blistering 56% (50-of-89) from the field but still had some anxious moments before improving to 3-8.

Dwight Howard collected 28 points and 12 rebounds and Grant Hill scored 23 points as the Orlando Magic held on for an 86-84 victory over struggling Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their seventh straight game.

With superstar Allen Iverson sitting out for a second consecutive game since asking for a trade, the Sixers appear to have no direction after losing 14 of 16 games since a 3-0 start.

LeBron James made his first six shots and scored 24 of his 27 points in three quarters as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 107-75 rout of the Indiana Pacers.

Damon Jones and Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas each scored 15 points and Donyell Marshall collected 17 rebounds and four blocks - both season-highs - for the Cavaliers, who had a 56-32 advantage in paint points.

The Cavaliers took full advantage of the absence of Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, who is second in the NBA in blocks but sat out with a hamstring injury.

Elton Brand scored 26 points and Sam Cassell added 18 as the LA Clippers held off the Memphis Grizzlies 89-82 for their first road win of the season.

Chris Kaman collected 12 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who shot 46% (32-of-70) from the field and 23-of-28 from the line, as they attacked the paint with the continued absence of Memphis All-Star Pau Gasol.

Paul Pierce struck a game-winning 22-footer as time expired to give the Boston Celtics a 92-90 triumph over the New Jersey Nets to end a five-game winless streak.

Al Jefferson also registered career-highs of 29 points and 14 rebounds as the forward connected on 12-of-19 shots and had two steals for the Celtics.

Serbian center Nenad Krstic scored 20 points and Vince Carter contributed 19 and 11 rebounds for New Jersey, who shot 42% (33-of-78).

Kevin Garnett recorded 18 points as all five Minnesota Timberwolves starters contributed double figures in a 91-81 victory over the Chicago Bulls, who had their seven-game winning streak ended.

Garnett, who added 11 rebounds and eight assists, also made 6-of-19 shots and 6-of-7 free throws for Minnesota, who collected a season-high fourth straight win.

PA Sport