Houston Rockets' Yao Ming sits on the bench in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies during NBA basketball action on Monday, Jan. 30 2006 in Memphis, Tenn. [AP]

BEIJING, Feb. 1 --  Yao Ming returned to the Houston lineup on Tuesday after a 21-game injury layoff, but the Rockets' were unable to snap out of their recent malaise, going down 86-77 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

    Yao had 15 points and eight rebounds in his return from a foot injury that required surgery, but the Rockets remained firmly grounded, losing their third straight and 11th in 14 games.

    Chucky Atkins, who was let go by the Washington Wizards and picked up by the Grizzlies last week, bagged 19 points for Memphis, who earned just their third win in 10 games.

    Pau Gasol added 16 points and 11 rebounds to the Memphis cause while Mike Miller potted 17 points and Shane Battier 12.

    Tracy McGrady had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

    The Rockets got off to a flying start, leading 24-21 after the opening quarter, but trailed 43-39 at the intermission.

    The Grizzlies went on a 7-0 run to start the third but the Rockets would fight back, pulling to 54-52 midway through the quarter.

    AdvertisementAdvertisementBut that would be as close as Houston would get, the Grizzlies answering with a 13-0 run to open up a 16-point and post a comfortable win.

    In Salt Lake City, Tim Duncan had 19 points and eight rebounds, guiding the San Antonio Spurs to a 79-70 victory over the Utah Jazz.

    Tony Parker chipped in with 17 points while Bruce Bowen added 13 and Manu Ginobili 10, as the Spurs continued their domination over the Jazz notching their 20th win in 22 meetings and extending their win streak to four games.

    Jarron Collins paced the Jazz with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Matt Harpring had 12 points and Andrei Kirilenko 10 in the loss as the Jazz slumped to their fifth defeat in six games.

    In Charlotte, LeBron James nailed 30 points, adding six assists and six rebounds, as the Cleveland Cavaliers dumped the Bobcats 103-91, rolling to their sixth straight win.

    Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 19 points and Donyell Marshall bagged 14 for the Cavaliers, who led by 26 entering the final quarter.