(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-24 14:01

DETROIT, Michigan - Houston's Tracy McGrady aggravated his ailing left knee and Yao Ming needed four stitches to close a cut over his eye Sunday as the Rockets fell 94-82 to the Detroit Pistons.

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets leaves the floor holding a towel to his head during a game against the Detroit Pistons 23 December 2007 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. [Agencies]

McGrady left in the third quarter of the National Basketball Association contest and didn't return. He totaled 14 points.

Chinese center Yao had to leave the court to receive treatment after a third-quarter collison with teammate Luther Head, and finished with 12 points.

It was another disappointing visit to Detroit for the Rockets, who have lost seven straight on the Pistons' floor.

Richard Hamilton scored 17 points to lead five Pistons in double figures and Detroit posted their fifth straight victory.

Rasheed Wallace's storming first half put the Rockets on the defensive early.

He scored 14 points in the first half as the Pistons took a 51-44 halftime lead, and by the final period the Rockets were unable to mount challenge.

"We stayed close but the third quarter they really took over the game," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We didn't push the ball like we needed to. We walked it up the court. Just had some surges but not consistency throughout the game."

"We pretty much took control of the game in the second quarter and we never really looked back," said Detroit guard Chauncey Billups. "Except both of their stars went out, but I thought we pretty much had control at that point."