Yao Ming scored 23 points and supplied almost all of Houston's offense in the fourth quarter to lead the Rockets over the Golden State Warriors 85-83 Wednesday night.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (11), of China, pressures Golden State Warriors center Erick Dampier in the first half Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, in Houston. [AP]

Yao had 15 of the Rockets' 21 points in the final period. The Warriors lost their fourth in a row.

Houston led by a point with 15 seconds left, but Yao missed two free throws. Kelvin Cato made a foul shot with two seconds remaining for the final margin.

Steve Francis scored 23 points as Houston beat Golden State for the fourth time in the last five meetings. Maurice Taylor returned from a six-game suspension and scored seven points in 15 minutes.

Clifford Robinson scored a season-high 23 points for the Warriors.

Erick Dampier had 15 points and 11 rebounds, but missed two free throws that would have given Golden State the lead with 18.5 seconds to play.

Golden State hit seven of its first 10 shots, including six straight points by Robinson, to begin the third quarter for a 56-55 lead.

A 7-0 run late in the quarter gave the Warriors their largest lead at 65-61. Houston's Jim Jackson made a 3-pointer with three seconds left that closed it to 65-64 after three quarters.

Golden State hit only two of its first 11 shots and committed three turnovers in falling behind 14-6 in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the game.

Houston led by as many as 11 in the second quarter as Bostjan Nachbar scored six straight points during a 9-2 run. Francis had 15 points at halftime as the Rockets took a 44-40 lead.

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