Yao shines despite Rockets 93-89 loss to 76ers

<br>HOUSTON (AP) _ Playing in his first game before home fans at Houston on Thursday, Chinese import Yao Ming hit jump shots, free throws and blocked shots, but could not stop the Philadelphia 76ers beating

Friday, October 25th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ Playing in his first game before home fans at Houston on Thursday, Chinese import Yao Ming hit jump shots, free throws and blocked shots, but could not stop the Philadelphia 76ers beating the Rockets 93-89 in preseason play.

A night after scoring just six points on 1-of-5 shooting in a loss at San Antonio, the 2.23-meter (7-foot-5) Chinese center had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 24 minutes. As with Wednesday night's game, he committed four fouls.

Yao drew a standing ovation from the Rockets' crowd when he entered the game to start the second quarter, and from there the fans cheered his every move. During his first two minutes on the floor, he blocked a shot and hit a 3.5-meter (12-foot) jump shot.

Allen Iverson scored 20 points to lead Philadelphia to its win, while Eric Snow added 19.

Steve Francis led the Rockets with 28 points.

Cavaliers 115, Kings 94

In Los Angeles, Bobby Jackson scored 21 points to lead the Sacramento Kings over Cleveland.

Peja Stojakovic added 17 points for Sacramento (5-2), while Hedo Turkoglu scored 16 points and Scot Pollard had 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Ricky Davis scored 32 points for Cleveland (2-4), while Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Kings played without Chris Webber, who has a strained groin muscle, and Mike Bibby, who is recovering from surgery on his right foot.

Mavericks 102, Magic 95

In Orlando, Florida, Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 of his 23 points in the third quarter as Dallas beat Orlando.

Nowitzki made four 3-pointers in the third period, the last putting Dallas ahead 76-69 with 59.2 seconds remaining.

Mike Miller's jumper in the final period gave Orlando a 78-77 lead, but a 13-0 run put the Mavericks in front to stay.

Michael Finley had 15 points and Raef LaFrentz added 14 for the Mavericks. Dallas made 15 of 17 free throws.

Orlando was led by Tracy McGrady with 20 points and seven rebounds. Miller added 14 points, Jacque Vaughn 12 and Pat Burke 10. Rookie reserve Ryan Humphrey contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Jazz 89, Raptors 82

In Salt Lake City, Greg Ostertag made his second consecutive start and had preseason highs of 10 points and 10 rebounds as Utah beat Toronto to close out the preseason for both teams.

Ostertag, who has been slowed by an abdominal strain that developed after he donated a kidney to his sister, more than doubled his preseason averages of 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Calbert Cheaney added 13 points for the Jazz, who went 4-4 in the preseason. Utah hasn't finished with a losing record in the preseason since going 1-7 in 1990.

Karl Malone led the Jazz with 16 points and John Stockton added 15 and 10 assists.

Vince Carter led the Raptors with 14 points. Morris Peterson and Antonio Davis each scored 11 and Jelani McCoy added 10 for Toronto, which finished the preseason at 3-5.

Warriors 108, Nuggets 80

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jason Richardson scored 24 points and Antawn Jamison added 17 as Golden State routed Denver.

Richardson was 9-of-14 shooting and didn't play in the fourth quarter. Troy Murphy had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Erick Dampier added 15 as Golden State (3-4) ended a two-game losing streak.

Lakers 98, Bucks 93

In Los Angeles, Tracy Murray scored 21 points to help Los Angeles rally for a 98-93 exhibition victory over Milwaukee.

Rookies Jannero Pargo and Kareem Rush each added 18 points for the Lakers (3-4).

Michael Redd led the Bucks (3-3) with 21 points. Sam Cassell added 16 points and had nine assists.

The Bucks close out their preseason schedule Friday night against Cleveland in the first half of a doubleheader at Staples Center; the Lakers play the late game against Sacramento.