[NBA] Yao Posts 2nd Straight Double-Double in Win

The Houston Rockets, armed with the new mighty duo of center Yao Ming and forward Ron Artest, has won two straight games to open the NBA season.

The visiting Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks, 112-102, Thursday thanks to 30 points and 13 rebounds from Yao and 29 points from Artest.

Yao hit all eight of his free throws and was 11 of 15 from the field. Missing much of last season due to injury, he recorded a double-double in both of his team’s wins. In Wednesday’s home win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Yao had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Artest, who spent last season with the Sacramento Kings, emerged as a new troubleshooter for Houston, scoring seven points in a decisive run that began with the game tied at 92.

Mavericks forwards Dirk Nowitzki (36 points, 7 rebounds) and Josh Howard (28 points, 11 rebounds) carried Dallas.

Houston hit seven of 14 three-pointers while Dallas hit just four of 16.

In Cleveland, LeBron James had 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in just 30 minutes to lead the host Cavaliers over the Charlotte Bobcats, 96-79. The Cavaliers won their first victory of the season after losing the season opener at Boston. Daniel Gibson scored 20 out 25 points in the first half to lift Cleveland.

In Phoenix, the Suns fell to the visiting New Orleans Hornets, 108-95, thanks to Hornet Chris Paul’s outstanding performance (20 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds). Phoenix committed 24 turnovers.