HOUSTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Yao Ming had 29 points, including a three-point play with 15 seconds left, as Houston beat Dallas Sunday for the first time in seven meetings, 101-98.
The Mavericks erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter and tied the game, 92-92, on a basket by Eduardo Najera with 33 seconds to go.
The Rockets went ahead to stay when the 7-5 Yao took a pass from Steve Francis and overpowered a pair of defenders for a basket, drawing a foul from Dirk Nowitzki.
The Mavericks cut the deficit to 98-97 on a 3-pointer by Antoine Walker with four seconds left, but Houston put away the game on a pair of free throws by Clarence Weatherspoon and another by Cuttino Mobley.
The Mavericks were the only NBA team Yao had never beaten.
Steve Nash scored 22 points for the Mavericks.
