Rockets pound Bobcats

"We just wanted to come in, jump on them right away, outsmart them and pretty much come in and play our game," McGrady said. "I think we can be a great defensive team night in and night out."

Yao Ming posted 21 points and six rebounds for the Rockets, who have won three of their last four. Juwan Howard had 12 points and six rebounds, and Rafer Alston added 10 points.

Raymond Felton scored 16 points as the only player in double figures for the Bobcats, who lost their second straight and shot a franchise-worst 23-for-81 (28 percent) from the floor. Emeka Okafor had eight points and six rebounds.

"There’s no need to dwell on this game," Charlotte coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "The only thing you hoped for that one was that it would hurry up and get over. We had some pretty good shots, and the ball didn’t go down."

Houston took off on a 10-0 run down the first-quarter stretch capped by a Howard layup with 4:33 left, and led 31-17 heading into the second.

The Rockets continued to control the game, outscoring Charlotte by seven in the second to take a 52-31 lead into halftime.

Houston outscored Charlotte, 25-15, in the third quarter to lead 77-46 heading into the final stanza, in which the Bobcats managed to trim one point off their deficit.

Game Notes

Houston allowed 63 points to Utah on January 3, 2004...Charlotte shot 31 percent from the floor against Toronto on February 10, 2006 for its previous record low...Both teams split a pair of meetings last season, while the Bobcats lead the lifetime series by a 3-2 margin.