Los Angeles - The Houston Rockets appear to have solved their problems. The New Orleans Hornets are still battling theirs. Chinese superstar Yao Ming scored 21 points and Tracy McGrady added 18 as the host Rockets built a big lead and held on for a 91-82 victory over the Hornets on Saturday night.
Argentina's Luis Scola had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Houston (6-4), which moved back ahead of New Orleans (5-4) into first place in the rugged Southwest Division. The Rockets had surrendered the top spot with Friday's loss at San Antonio in which they blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
"We kept saying, 'Remember yesterday,'" Yao said. "We didn't want that to happen again."
The Hornets would just like to have a lead. Saturday's loss was their third straight game in which they started slowly and trailed at halftime.
"We didn't have any life to start the game and it carried over as the game went on," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "We have to be ready to play games early and we can't spot good teams with early leads."
"We could have come out with more energy," said Serbian forward Peja Stojakovic, who managed just three points. "We didn't play well from the beginning."
McGrady scored nine points in the first quarter, when Houston grabbed the lead for good. The Rockets widened their lead to 48-36 at halftime as they shut down Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul, limiting him to four points - all from the foul line - and cutting off his passing lanes.
"Our guys really did a great job not getting caught up in picks, staying with him and either making him take tough shots or kicking it to his guys who were covered," McGrady said. "We didn't give many wide-open looks."
Yao scored eight points in the third quarter as Houston built its advantage to 70-53 entering the final period.
Unlike Friday's loss to the Spurs, the Rockets maintained their lead. Yao's jumper made it 86-73 with 1:42 to play, and the Hornets got no closer than the final margin.
"The guys had a bad taste in their mouths and we needed to come out and get this one," McGrady said.
Ron Artest and Von Wafer scored 10 points each for the Rockets, who played without suspended point guard Rafer Alston and shot 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the field.
David West scored 18 points, Tyson Chandler added 16 and Devin Brown 12 for the Hornets, who shot under 41 percent (31-of-76) as they were held below 90 points for the fifth time in six games.
"It's not panic mode yet, it's too early in the season," said Paul, who finished with 12 points and 12 assists. "We expect so much of ourselves. We have to reach down inside and bring more energy every night. Every time we step on the court, we have to fight and play hungry and not just go through the motions."
Cleveland 105, Utah 93 =
NBA scoring leader LeBron James rang up 38 points as the Cavaliers improved to 6-0 at home with their seventh consecutive victory overall. James is averaging better than 34 points during the winning streak.
Carlos Boozer scored 20 points for the Jazz, who were without injured regulars Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur of Turkey and Andrei Kirilenko of Russia as they completed a 1-4 road trip.
Boston 102, Milwaukee 97 (OT) =
Paul Pierce scored 28 points and Ray Allen added 27 for the visiting Celtics, who gave away a 12-point fourth-quarter lead but recovered in overtime for their seventh win in eight games. Australia's Andrew Bogut scored 20 points for the Bucks.
New Jersey 119, Atlanta 107 =
The suddenly struggling Hawks lost their third straight game and second in as many nights to the visiting Nets, who got 33 points and 10 assists from Devin Harris and 29 points from Vince Carter.
Golden State 121, LA Clippers 103 =
Unheralded Anthony Morrow scored 37 points - the most by a rookie this season - as the Warriors wrecked Baron Davis' return to Golden State. Davis, who signed with the Clippers in the off-season, had 25 points and 11 assists.
Portland 88, Minnesota 83=
Brandon Roy scored 24 points, including a pair of key baskets down the stretch, as the visiting Trail Blazers tied the Jazz atop the Northwest Division. Al Jefferson scored 26 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost seven in a row.
Philadelphia 110, Oklahoma City 85 =
Thaddeus Young scored 23 points and Haiti's Samuel Dalembert added 13 and 16 rebounds for the host 76ers, who have won three in a row. The Thunder dropped their seventh straight game and fell to a league-worst 1-9.
Chicago 104, Indiana 91 =
Rookie Derrick Rose had 23 points and eight assists and Argentina's Andres Nocioni added 20 and 11 rebounds for the host Bulls, who won their second straight game.
