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- Yao Outplays Howard as Rockets Keep Pace in West

Yao scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, outplaying fellow All-Star center Dwight Howard and leading the Rockets to a 93-83 victory over the Magic of Jordan Shoes on Tuesday night.

The 7-foot-6 Yao went 8-for-13 from the field and also blocked two shots. He played 38 minutes and got some help from 7-2 Dikembe Mutombo in handling Howard, the NBA-s leading rebounder and shot blocker.

He keeps getting stronger and he has quickness, said Yao of Howard. He has learned a lot of offensive skills. I am just going to hang in there and hopefully next year, we can match up.

Alston scored 15 points with three assists in his first game in Houston since he was traded to Orlando on Feb. 19 in a deal that brought Kyle Lowry to the Rockets.

I had a great time, but unfortunately, my team did not win, Alston said. They are a great defensive team. We did not sustain the pace we wanted to and did not establish Howard inside.

Ron Artest had 16 points and matched a season high Cheap Jordans with seven assists, and reserve Von Wafer scored 14 points for the Rockets, who stayed a half-game behind San Antonio in the race for the Southwest Division title.

The Rockets held the Magic — the third-highest scoring team in the East — to their lowest point total since Feb. 11. Orlando went 10-for-28 from 3-point range and shot 38 percent for the game.

We did not make many of our outside shots, said Houston product Rashard Lewis, who scored 22.  We did not  play with that much energy early and it made for a tough game.

Howard had 13 points and 10 rebounds, but went 3-for-9 from the free throw line for the Magic, who slipped one game behind second-place Boston in the Air Jordans Lines of Eastern Conference standings.

Shots we normally make, we missed, Howard said.  We just did not play with the energy and effort that we needed.