HOUSTON — Yao Ming scored 21 points, Tracy McGrady added 18 points and nine rebounds, and the Houston Rockets bottled up Chris Paul in a 91-82 victory over the New Orleans Hornets tonight.

Paul, who came in averaging 22 points, went 2 for 10 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line to score 12. He had 12 assists, but the Hornets shot 41 percent (31 for 76) and were outrebounded 41-35.

Luis Scola added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who led by 12 at the half and shot 53 percent (8 for 15) in the third quarter to take a 70-53 lead to the fourth. The Hornets couldn't crack Houston's double-digit lead until the final 15 seconds.