Yao powers Rockets past Nuggets

HOUSTON: Chinese center Yao Ming scored 32 points and Tracy McGrady added 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to power the Houston Rockets past the Denver Nuggets 108-96 on Tuesday.

The Rockets snapped Denver's four-game National Basketball Association win streak, improving to 16-9 but staying third in the Southwest division while the Nuggets, who fell to 17-8, still lead the Northwest division.

McGrady's triple-double effort came in only his third game back after sitting out with a sore left knee. It was the fourth triple double of McGrady's career and his first since achieving the feat last December against Memphis.