Yao leads Rockets to rare 91-81 romp over Magic

Reuters, Orlando, Florida

Rookie sensation Yao Ming notched up 23 points as the Houston Rockets won for the first time in 11 visits to Orlando, romping 91-81 in NBA play on Wednesday.

Yao, the first pick overall in the last draft, went 8-for-14 from the floor; he also pulled down 11 rebounds for his 11th double-double.

Steve Francis chipped in with 16 points.

Tracy McGrady got 27 points in a losing cause, a tad below his league-leading average of 30.3.

The Rockets, who were just 5-9 on the road coming in, outscored the Magic in all but the fourth quarter. Orlando had not lost to Houston at home since in 1991.

In Washington, the Wizards extended their winning streak to a season best five games with a narrow 101-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls, who are now 1-15 on the road, made a game of it with a 25-17 final quarter.

Six Wizards were in double figures, led by Larry Hughes, who counted 22 points.

In Philadelphia, the 76ers slipped to 0-4 for 2003, falling 103-94 in overtime to the surging Detroit Pistons.

Detroit was paced by Richard Hamilton, who notched 29 points -- nine in extra time -- and snagged eight rebounds.

Chauncey Billups counted 19 more for the Pistons.

Allen Iverson racked up 25 points for Philly, with Eric Snow adding 19.

In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers, playing without the suspended Ron Artest, won their eighth straight home contest, edging the New York Knicks 89-87.

Ron Mercer had 19 points to pace the Pacers, with Brad Miller adding 15 plus a game-high 11 rebounds.

In Atlanta, the Dallas Mavericks overcame a second-quarter lapse to thump the reeling Hawks, losers of six straight games, 117-99.

Outpointed 36-21 in the second period following a fast start, the Mavs took over with a 30-18 third quarter.

In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 14 rebounds to carry the host Timberwolves to a 102-95 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Troy Hudson also played a big part for the Wolves, dishing out 11 assists to go with his 23 points.

In New Orleans, Paul Pierce counted 11 of his 28 points in the final period as the Boston Celtics rallied to down the Hornets 93-83.

Eric Williams pitched in with 17 more.

Jamal Mashburn scored 21 points and Courtney Alexander added 20 for the slumping Hornets, who could not find the mark when it counted, going 0-for-14 in one stretch late in the contest.

In Denver, Juwan Howard was all over the court as the Nuggets surprised the Miami Heat 86-76 in a clash of NBA also-rans.

Howard notched 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out six assists.

Rookie Caron Butler was high man for Miami with 20 points.

In Salt Lake City, Utah's Mark Jackson made NBA history as the Jazz rallied to defeat the Phoenix Suns 99-93.

Jackson collected five assists on the night, giving him 10,000 for his career.

In Seattle, the San Antonio Spurs turned a 28-17 third quarter into a 106-95 win over the sagging SuperSonics.

Five Spurs were in double figures, with Tim Duncan tops with 23 points and nine rebounds.

Rashard Lewis had 19 points to pace Seattle, which has lost seven of nine games to fall below .500.