HOUSTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Baron Davis scored eight of his 18 points in the first quarter Sunday as the New Orleans Hornets posted an 89-71 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets.
George Lynch scored 15 points and David Wesley added 14 for the Hornets, who shot 44 percent from the field while holding the Rockets to less than 35 percent.
Hornets rookie forward David West, their first-round pick, had five points, six rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes.
New Rockets Coach Jeff Van Gundy continued to make 7-5 center Yao Ming the focal point of the offense. Yao made 5-of-10 shots and scored 15 points but missed several easy shots and committed a pair of turnovers.
Steve Francis scored 17 points and Jim Jackson 10 for Houston, which played without guard Cuttino Mobley and swingman Adrian Griffin. New Orleans was without forward Jamal Mashburn and guard Bryce Drew.
