Yao gets 36, Rockets trounce Mavericks

The Houston Rockets made a flurry of off-season moves to try to close the gap with the Dallas Mavericks. They routed the defending Western Conference champions on Saturday night with two guys who were already on the team.

Yao Ming scored 36 points and Rafer Alston had 14 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, leading Houston to a 107-76 victory over the Mavericks in the Rockets’ home opener.

Luther Head scored 17 points and Kirk Snyder had 12 for the Rockets, who shrugged off a bad game by Tracy McGrady to beat the Mavericks for the first time since March 6, 2005.

The Mavericks swept four games with Houston last season but shot poorly this time and never found a way to shut down Yao, who made 12 of 16 shots and was 12 for 12 from the free-throw line.

Alston, meanwhile, had one of the best overall games of his career, adding four steals and four three-point baskets without a turnover. He also played smothering defense on Mavericks guard Jason Terry, who missed all five of his shots and scored one point.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 and Josh Howard had 16 for the Mavericks, who shot 41% (29 for 70) and committed 22 turnovers. Dallas is 0-2 for the first time since the 1993-94 season.

McGrady had only two points at halftime on Saturday, then made his first two shots in the third quarter. But the six-time All-Star picked up his fourth foul with 5 minutes 13 seconds left in the quarter and went to the bench. He finished with eight points and four assists.

Washington 124, Boston 117 -- Three days after scoring only seven points in a season-opening loss at Cleveland, Gilbert Arenas scored 44 and shot 14 for 25, leading the host Wizards.

Antawn Jamison scored 29 points, Caron Butler had 20, and the Wizards overcame their persistent defensive problems by shooting 52% from the field.

Wally Szczerbiak, who sat out much of the first half after being cut over his right eye, returned with a bandage on his brow and scored 33 points to lead the Celtics, who are 0-3 for the first time since 1994.

Charlotte 92, Cleveland 88 -- Raymond Felton scored 23 points to lead the Bobcats to a victory at Charlotte, N.C., their first win over the Cavaliers in eight tries.

Cleveland’s LeBron James, who scored 35 against San Antonio on Friday, never got into a rhythm and was held to 16 points.

Portland 88, Minnesota 86 -- Juan Dixon made a three-point shot with 6.2 seconds left to lift the Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

Travis Outlaw led Portland with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Detroit 95, Memphis 86 -- Richard Hamilton had 24 points and five players scored in double figures to help the Pistons win at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hakim Warrick led Memphis with 21 points.

Indiana 109, New York 95 -- Al Harrington broke out of an early slump with 32 points, and the Pacers sent the Knicks to their fifth straight home-opening loss.

Steve Francis scored 25 points and Eddy Curry had 22 for New York, which hasn’t won a home opener since Oct. 30, 2001. Stephon Marbury shot one for nine for four points.

Milwaukee 104, Sacramento 91 -- Michael Redd scored 26 points, Charlie Villanueva had 25 and the Bucks won their home opener.

Reserve John Salmons led the Kings with 18 points.

Utah 106, Golden State 82 -- Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 14 rebounds for his third double-double in three games, and the Jazz won at Salt Lake City to stay unbeaten.

The Warriors shot 38% from the field.