Houston Rockets' Yao Ming of China grabs a rebound during their win against the Los Angeles Clippers in their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, California March 28, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhuanet) -- McGrady got 11 of his 25 in the final five minutes and Yao Ming scored 30 points to lead the Rockets to a 123-112 win over New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.

    The Hornets trailed by 12 early in the final quarter, but cut the Rockets' lead to four twice in the final 2:41. Each time, McGrady answered ¡ª with a jumper from the top of the key and then a driving dunk and a free throw with 2:04 left.

    "I just wanted to put my will on the game," said McGrady, who also had 10 assists.

    Rafer Alston added 21 points and a season-high 13 assists for the Rockets, who have a two-game lead over Utah in the race for home-court in their first-round playoff series. The Jazz lost 126-98 to Phoenix on Saturday night.

    "You don't want to squander that opportunity," Alston said of securing home-court. "I know how important it is, because you never know. If it comes down to that last game, you would much rather it be on your court with your fans."

    Alston said the key on Saturday night was simply delivering the ball to Yao earlier in possessions.

    "What's been happening, sometimes, is that he's open and we don't get it to him right away," Alston said. "Then they (the defense) are able to push him out farther and that's not the shot we want him to take."

    McGrady has been preaching to his teammates for two weeks about improving in time for the postseason.

    "Right now, we have to be playing our best basketball," McGrady said. "I still feel like we're not getting it."

    McGrady recorded double-digit assists for the 11th time. Houston's 33 assists were a season-high.

    (Agencies)