Yao Ming hits double-double to lead Rockets
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-27 08:29

ORLANDO, Fla. - Yao Ming had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Tracy McGrady added 19 points, nine boards and five assists to help the Houston Rockets beat the Orlando Magic 89-84 on Sunday.

Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard, right, goes up for a shot over Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006. [AP]

It was McGrady's second regular season game in Orlando after the Magic traded him a year and a half ago, and the superstar was booed each time he touched the ball. He started well, scoring 14 points in the first half, but began missing shots and playing time in the second half after picking up his fourth foul. McGrady got his fifth foul with 8:05 left in the fourth quarter but didn't foul out.

As part of the NBA's Hardwood Classics events, the league broadcast the game for the first time "silently" on NBA TV — with no announcers and enhanced on-court microphones to fill in sound. Music from the 1970s was played during timeouts, with help from a pep band and an organist. The Magic wore retro jerseys from their inaugural 1989-90 season.

Grant Hill, starting just his second game in more than a month, led Orlando with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Carlos Arroyo added 17 points and five rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu had 10 points — all in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard finished with just seven points and nine rebounds.

Rafer Alston had 13 points and 10 assists and Juwan Howard added 12 points and five rebounds for Houston.

Leading 44-39 at the half, Houston pulled away in the third quarter with a 16-4 run, led by a hook shot, turnaround jumper and several free throws from Yao.

The Rockets extended the lead to 20, 74-54, before Orlando used a 22-6 run to close within four on Arroyo's two free throws with 1:51 left. Yao converted two free throws before Turkoglu hit a 3-pointer with 1:21 remaining to make it 82-79, but the Magic could get no closer.

Howard made a jumper and McGrady added two free throws to extend the lead back to seven with 22 seconds left.

It was the Magic's 13th loss in 15 games, and the Rockets' 10th win in the last 12. Orlando had lost eight in a row before beating Seattle at home Friday night.