Yao leads Rockets past Celtics 97-94
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-01 11:15

Yao Ming had 23 points and Jon Barry scored 15 of his 17 in the fourth quarter, leading the Houston Rockets to a 97-94 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, right, laughs with assistant coach Patrick Ewing after their 97-94 victory over the Boston Celtics in Boston Monday, Jan. 31, 2005. [AP]

Houston blew a 16-point lead but rallied behind Barry, who scored 11 points in the first 2:57 of the fourth, to snap a two-game skid and move back to .500 on the road. The Rockets have won four straight in Boston.

With the Celtics down 93-92, Ricky Davis missed a shot for the first time in the fourth quarter. Houston grabbed the rebound, forcing Boston to foul Tracy McGrady, who hit both free throws to put the Rockets ahead 95-92 with 17.8 seconds left.

Paul Pierce missed a 3-pointer on Boston's ensuing possession, and Rod Strickland ended up with the ball after a scramble. Strickland made two free throws to put Houston up 97-92 with 7.5 seconds left, sealing the win.

Davis, who scored 17 in the final quarter, hit a jumper with 1:13 left to even the score at 90, then hit another basket with 44 seconds remaining to tie it at 92. Davis went 7-of-8 from the field in the fourth.

Barry opened the fourth with a 20-foot jumper, then knocked down three 3-pointers in the next two minutes to put the Rockets ahead 78-68 with 9:03 left.

Boston trailed 47-31 late in the second quarter, then held Yao scoreless during a 32-10 run to go ahead 63-57 late in the third.

Davis led Boston with 24 points, and Pierce added 22. McGrady finished with 16.

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