8 Apr 2009

Yao gets better of Howard as Rockets beat Magic

6:49 pm on 8 April 2009

Houston's Yao Ming won a showdown of top-flight centers with Orlando's Dwight Howard on Tuesday to guide the Rockets to a 93-83 home victory in the National basketball Association.

Yao schooled his younger rival with 20 points and 16 rebounds as Houston stopped Orlando overtaking second-placed Boston in the Eastern Conference.

The loss leaves the Magic a full game behind the Celtics.