Yao's Rockets Spoil Spurs' Streak 89-81

Yao Ming had 28 points and 13 rebounds and stayed in for nearly 43 minutes to lock down Houston's defeat of the champion San Antonio Spurs last night, reports the Houston Chronicle. The day after a late collapse against Dallas, the Rockets stayed strong down the stretch to overcome Manu Ginobili's 23 points and Tim Duncan's double-double.

On a night when Houston's Tracy McGrady was held to 12 points and nine rebounds, Bonzi Wells came through off the bench with 14 and 15. Together, the Rockets collected an impressive 55 rebounds. Both teams looked dreadful at the free-throw line; the Spurs averaged 61% off Tony Parker's 0-for-1 and Tim Duncan's 2-for-4. (More NBA stories.)