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NBA: Yao Ming nets 22 as Rockets defeat Cleveland Cavaliers

The Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, left, works against the Cleveland Cavaliers' Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a rebound during the third quarter of their NBA basketball game in Houston on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

Yao Ming had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-77 in the NBA on Thursday.

The Rockets overcame a poor night from ailing All-Star Tracy McGrady to make it nine wins from 10 games.

Houston outrebounded Cleveland 55-35, the second time the Cavs have been outrebounded by 20 this season. The Cavaliers sorely missed Drew Gooden, their second-leading rebounder. Gooden sat out with a groin injury, the first game he's missed this season.

McGrady was hospitalized earlier in the day with an upper respiratory infection. He arrived at the arena less than an hour before tipoff and scored just eight points on 3-for-11 shooting.

Bulls 114, Warriors 108

In Oakland, California, an undermanned Chicago spoiled Chris Webber's return to Golden State.

Chris Duhon scored a career-high 34 points and Joseph Smith had 27 for the Bulls, who were playing their fourth road game in six nights without three of their top four scorers. Chicago used just eight players.

Webber had four points and two assists in 12 minutes in his first game back with the Warriors, where he played his rookie season more than 13 years ago before forcing a trade.

76ers 101, Heat 84

In Philadelphia, the home team handed short-handed Miami their sixth-straight loss.

Andre Iguodala scored 25 and Andre Miller added 21 for the Sixers, who have won four from six.

The Heat were playing their second game since center Shaquille O'Neal was dealt to Phoenix. The players they received for O'Neal -- Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks -- still have to pass physicals and are expected to play today.

Miami is stuck on a miserable nine wins.

■ STEVE FRANCIS OUT

AFP, HOUSTON

The Houston Rockets' Steve Francis will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right knee, the NBA club announced on Thursday.

After being diagnosed with a torn right quadriceps tendon in his knee, Francis is scheduled to have surgery on Feb. 25.
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