Yao Ming leads Rockets to 105-91 win at 76ers
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-12 09:46

PHILADELPHIA - Yao Ming scored 19 points and Tracy McGrady added 15 to lead the Houston Rockets to a 105-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Derek Anderson scored 13 points and Juwan Howard had 10 for the Rockets.

Allen Iverson led the Sixers with 23 points and Andre Iguodala scored 16. Kyle Korver had 10 points, six assists and six rebounds.

The Sixers played without starters Chris Webber, who sat out as a precaution after he was kneed in the thigh during Monday's practice, and Samuel Dalembert, who was bothered by a strained quad that kept him out of nearly all of training camp.

Steven Hunter started at center and Michael Bradley was at power forward for the Sixers.

Houston pulled away midway through the fourth quarter, with Luther Head's 3-pointer capping an 18-8 run. Head later added a short jumper for a 99-89 lead and the rookie from Illinois finished with 13 points in his debut.

Head was one of the many reserves who played almost the entire fourth quarter after the starters for both teams played the bulk of the third.

Without their usual frontcourt presence, the Sixers were outrebounded 39-33 and grabbed only four offensive boards.