NBA: Houston 97, Boston 94

BOSTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Yao Ming had 23 points and eight rebounds Monday night to lead the Houston Rockets to a 97-94 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Jon Barry scored 15 of his 17 points in the final quarter and Tracy McGrady added 16 points for the Rockets, who won for the fifth time in seven games.

Ricky Davis scored 24 points and Paul Pierce 22 to lead the Celtics, who lost for just the second time in five games.

Houston held an one-point lead, at 89-88, with 1:43 left. Yao's free throw made it 90-88 with 1:28 left, but Davis tied the score 15 seconds later.

Houston took the lead for keeps with 33 seconds left.