NBA: Houston 114, New Jersey 88

HOUSTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Yao Ming had 20 points and 12 rebounds Tuesday in the Houston Rockets' 114-88 rout of the New Jersey Nets,

Shane Battier added 19 points and pulled nine rebounds for the Rockets, who also had 19 points by Von Wafer and 18 by Ron Artest.

The Rockets overcame the absence of star Tracy McGrady (left knee) to beat the Nets for the sixth straight time. Houston set a season-high by making 15 3-point shots. The Rockets had 27 assists and out-rebounded the Nets 56-30.

Vince Carter had 30 points for New Jersey, which has lost three in a row. Brook Lopez added 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots for the Nets.