NBA Game Summary - Chicago at Houston

Houston, TX (Basketball News) - Ben Gordon scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half to help Chicago fend off the Houston Rockets, 94-89, at the Toyota Center.

Andres Nocioni poured in 17 points and collected eight rebounds, while Othella Harrington scored 16 points off the bench for the Bulls, who have won three straight.

Yao Ming erupted for 30 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to carry the Rockets down the stretch. All five starters ended in double figures including David Wesley, who had 13 points and six assists. Juwan Howard had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds for Houston, which has lost seven straight.

Tracy McGrady sat out his fifth consecutive contest with a strained back. Houston is 0-8 without him in the lineup this season.

Harrington’s turnaround jumper with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter put the Bulls up by nine, and Gordon followed with a jumper of his own and a free throw in the final seconds to push the advantage to 11.

Yao would score six points in the early moments of the fourth to spark a 9-0 Rockets run that cut the deficit to 75-69.

Then, with 6:49 left in the contest, Yao made a baseline spin, banked in the layup, was fouled and hit the ensuing free throw to make it a four-point game. Yao maintained his torrid pace throughout the fourth, and brought the Rockets to within two points on a turnaround hook with just over four minutes remaining.

Wesley tied the game at 85 with 1:37 left on the clock after being fouled in the act of shooting and making both the jumper and the free throw.

Kirk Hinrich came right down the other end and hit a finger roll, fouling out Yao in the process. Then, after a defensive stop, Gordon swooped in for another layup to give Chicago an 89-85 advantage with 46 seconds left in the game.

Nocioni answered a pair of Houston free throws with Chicago’s third straight layup down the stretch to help secure the win.