(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-30 15:07

HOUSTON - Yao Ming scored eight of his 36 points in the final 2 1/2 minutes and had 19 rebounds to help the Houston Rockets hold on to beat the Golden State Warriors 111-107 on Tuesday night.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, left, makes a move to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Pryzbilla during NBA second half basketball action in Portland, Ore., Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. Yao Ming scored 11 points as the Rockets beat the Blazers 89-79. [Agencies]

Rafer Alston had 17 points and a season-high 12 assists as the Rockets overcame the absence of Tracy McGrady to win for the fifth time in six games and snap a four-game losing streak to the Warriors.

Houston led 52-31 late in the second quarter, but the Warriors spent the second half gradually chipping away. They took their first lead, at 102-101, on Baron Davis' 3-pointer with 2:11 left in the game.

Yao overpowered Golden State's undersized frontcourt all night and muscled his way down low on every Rockets' possession down the stretch. He went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and flipped in a hook shot after that as Houston pulled away late.

Davis sank another 3-pointer with 15.5 seconds left for the final margin. He finished with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists.

McGrady sat out with flu-like symptoms, the 15th game he's missed this season. The Rockets improved to 8-7 without him.

Luther Head scored 20 and added six assists for the Rockets.

Stephen Jackson had 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Golden State.

The Rockets opened the game with a 23-6 run, hitting nine of their first 14 shots. Houston got a bonus when Davis picked up his second foul just five minutes after the tip.

Already frustrated, Davis got in Alston's face under the Warriors' basket and the two exchanged words and earned technical fouls.

Golden State quickened the pace, but that strategy backfired. Yao scored twice inside to stretch Houston's lead to 29-9 with three minutes left in the first quarter.

Yao was dominant after struggling in the first two meetings with Golden State this season, averaging only 13 points. He had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the first quarter alone and Houston led 33-18.

The Warriors found their touch and mounted an 11-2 run to cut the lead to 10. But with Yao on the bench, the Rockets retook control in the second quarter, answering with a 12-3 burst to extend the lead to 45-26.

Yao returned with 7:07 left in the half, after Carl Landry cut open his bottom lip diving for a loose ball. Golden State trimmed the deficit to 10 again, but Alston sank a 3-pointer to put the Rockets up 60-46 at the break.

The Rockets led 71-57 midway through the third quarter, but Monta Ellis and Matt Barnes sank 3-pointers during a 14-4 Golden State run. After a Houston time out, Yao scored twice inside and Shane Battier hit a 3-pointer, pushing the lead back over 10.

Al Harrington sank two 3-pointers in three minutes as Golden State mounted one final surge. Seldom-used Steve Novak missed two forced 3-pointers at the Houston end and Harrington pulled the Warriors to 100-99 on a long jumper from just inside the 3-point line.

Golden State went 12-for-29 from 3-point range, sinking eight in the second half to fuel the comeback.