Rockets beat Bucks

The second edition of Yao vs. Yi didn’t quite live up to its billing, as Yao Ming’s Houston Rockets beat Yi Jianlian and the Milwaukee Bucks 91-83 on Saturday in Milwaukee, despite relatively quiet nights by both of China’s biggest basketball exports.

Yao scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds for Houston, sitting for much of the first half after getting in early foul trouble and tweaking his ankle just before halftime.

Yi scored six points, below the rookie’s average of 9.7 per game.

Tracy McGrady scored 33 to lead Houston, hitting several jumpers to hold off a late Bucks rally.

Australian Andrew Bogut added to the game’s international flavor with 21 points to lead Milwaukee, often getting the best of Yao on both ends of the court.

The Bucks kept it close deep into the fourth quarter, as Bogut had a chance for a three-point play after making a hook shot over Yao and getting fouled. The shot cut Houston’s lead to 78-74 with 2:54 remaining, but Bogut missed the free throw and McGrady hit a 19-foot jumper on the other end to put Houston ahead by seven.

Cavaliers 98, Clippers 84: At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 28 points after missing a game with a sprained right ankle, leading the Cavaliers to a victory over Los Angeles.

The Clippers played their fourth straight game without leading scorers Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman. Both were out with the flu and Los Angeles dressed nine players.

Jazz 110, Grizzlies 91: At Memphis, Tenn., Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Utah extended its winning streak to eight games with a victory over the Grizzlies.

Deron Williams had 16 points and 11 assists, and Mehmet Okur added 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz.

Hawks 104, Nets 92: At Atlanta, Marvin Williams scored 24 points, Josh Smith and Josh Childress each had 23, and the Hawks ended a three-game losing streak with a victory over New Jersey.

Atlanta, which had dropped seven of eight, used a quick transition game to outscore New Jersey 16-7 on fast-break points in the second half.

Magic 121, Pacers 115: At Indianapolis, Dwight Howard had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Orlando beat Indiana for its fourth straight victory.

Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half, and Rashard Lewis added 19 points for the Magic.

Danny Granger finished with 29 points for Indiana.

Nuggets 117, Bobcats 101: At Denver, Carmelo Anthony returned from an ankle injury to score 25 points, Allen Iverson had 24 points and 13 assists, and the Nuggets beat Charlotte.

Linas Kleiza came off the bench to add 23 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Nuggets won their eighth straight game at the Pepsi Center.

Kings 105, Bulls 101: At Sacramento, Calif., Ron Artest scored 28 points and Kevin Martin had 26 to help the Kings to a victory over Chicago.

Brad Miller had 22 points and 20 rebounds for the Kings, who have won three straight and are 22-24, the closest they’ve been to .500 since 10 games into the season.