(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-09 15:16

WASHINGTON - Still unsure when they'll get Tracy McGrady back, the Houston Rockets are doing just fine without him right now.

Luther Head's season-high 24 points and Rafer Alston's double-double Tuesday night led Houston past the Washington Wizards 92-84, the Rockets' third consecutive victory.

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, right, of China, is guarded by Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood during the first half of their NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, in Washington. [Agencies]

Alston finished with 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Yao Ming scored 21 points for Houston, which is 5-2 since McGrady went down last month with a left knee injury.

McGrady, sitting on the sideline in a jacket and tie, will be checked out by the Rockets' medical staff Thursday to determine when he'll be able to return.

The Wizards also had a star scorer in street clothes, of course: Gilbert Arenas, out probably another two months after left knee surgery. But the two past All-Stars who have been leading the team in his absence, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, were quite quiet Tuesday.

Jamison was held to 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting, and Butler scored 12 on 5-for-16 shooting, part of a 41-percent night for Washington.

The Rockets outrebounded the Wizards 46-28 overall, and in the final minute, back-to-back offensive boards for the visitors drew boos from the home fans.

Andray Blatche's only basket of the game pulled Washington within 80-73 with a little more than 7 minutes left. But after Butler missed a layup, Alston hit a 3-pointer, then assisted on Head's 3.

When Yao tacked on a free throw after Wizards coach Eddie Jordan was called for a technical foul, it was 87-73 with 5 1/2 minutes left, and Houston was on its way.

The Rockets led 52-43 at halftime, led by Head's 11 points until then, all in the first quarter.