TRACY MCGRADY scored 24 points and Yao Ming added 23 with 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets won for the fifth time in six NBA contests after defeating the Raptors in Toronto 114-100 Friday.

Rafer Alston, who played parts of two seasons with Toronto, had nine assists and eight rebounds before fouling out with 3:26 to play.

“It felt good. My whole rhythm tonight felt great,” he said.

“It was a big one. We needed to come in here and get a road victory. We need to keep on trying to make a good run at the third spot in the West.”

Drafted by Toronto in 1997, McGrady had seven assists for the Rockets (41-25), who avenged a Feb. 28 home loss to Toronto.

“Last time we didn’t have Yao,” McGrady said. “We were more prepared tonight than we were the first time we faced them. It also helps when you make your shots.”

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said Yao got better as the game wore on.

“I thought his pick-and-roll defense was better than it had been, as was his rebounding,” Van Gundy said. 

(SD-Agencies)