Rockets beat Portland 9th straight time
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-06 12:19

HOUSTON - Yao Ming had 32 points and 13 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers for the ninth straight time, 102-84 Sunday night.

Portland Trail Blazers' Brian Skinner (54) and Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (11), of China, reach for a rebound during the thrid quarter of their NBA basketball game Sunday, March 5, 2006 in Houston. [AP]

Yao had his team-leading 21st double-double, including 17 points in the third quarter, to help rally the Rockets from one point down at the half. Houston has won five of its last seven and 12 of 16.

Forward Tracy McGrady left in the third quarter due to recurring problems with his back and did not return. McGrady, who had 18 points before leaving with 1:29 remaining in the third, has missed a total of 18 games in three stretches due to back spasms.

The Trail Blazers, whose last win in this series was Nov. 21, 2003, at home, have lost eight of their last nine and 12 of 14. Steve Blake scored a career high 23 points.

Yao had a pair of three-point plays in the third quarter to help Houston take a 72-62 lead into the fourth. The Rockets outscored the Blazers 37-22 in the third, Houston's season-high output for a quarter.

The Trail Blazers went on a 19-4 run in the second quarter, including three straight 3s by Blake, to take a 36-35 lead with 2:22 left in the half. Blake had 11 points in the quarter and Portland led 40-39 at the break.

With Portland starting no one taller than 6-foot-9, the 7-6 Yao had seven rebounds in the first 5 minutes and Houston led by as many as 16 late in the first period.

McGrady had 12 points, equalling Portland's team total as the Rockets took a 25-12 lead into the second quarter. It was the fewest first-quarter points by a Houston opponent this season.