Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (11) of China dunks the ball as New Orleans Hornets forward Chris Andersen (12) looks on in the first half Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, in Houston. (AP Photo)

For one night, the grand visions of Yao Ming dominating the middle and Tracy McGrady knocking down big shots came true.

Yao scored 21 points and McGrady added 14 of his 18 in the second half as the Houston Rockets posted an 89-81 victory over the hapless New Orleans Hornets, who have lost seven in a row.

After averaging just over 12 points in a four-game stretch, the 7-6 Yao reached the 20-point mark for the second straight game. He grabbed nine rebounds as he helped Houston to 41-29 advantage off the glass.

Despite scoring a season-low 30 first-half points, the Hornets rallied within 54-53 late in the third period. But McGrady countered with a 3-pointer on the Rockets' next possession to begin a 14-3 run.

Dan Dickau, playing his second game since being acquired from Dallas, rallied New Orleans, by scoring all but one of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to help trim the deficit to 77-72 with just under three minutes to go.

McGrady answered again with back-to-back jumpers to put the game out of reach.

The league-worst Hornets (1-15) were offensively inept in the first half, shooting 29 percent (10-of-34) from the field and getting outscored in the paint, 24-4.

David Wesley scored 18 points and Lee Nailon recovered from a 1-of-9 start to score 15 for the Hornets.

Reserve Scott Padgett made two 3-pointers as the Rockets went on a 12-1 run to close the half and open a 43-30 lead.

Source: NBA.com