EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — While Yao Ming won the showdown with fellow Chinese Olympian Yi Jianlian, the Houston Rockets beat the New Jersey Nets with defense and a boost from the smallest player on the court.

Yao had 24 points and 16 rebounds and 6-foot Aaron Brooks tied his career high with 22 points as the Rockets won their season-high fourth straight game with a 114-91 victory over the Nets last night in a game televised live to China.

"Yao played big minutes and they didn't have any answer for him," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.

The Nets didn't have any answers at all in losing for the sixth time in eight games.

With Yao clogging the lane, the Rockets limited the Nets to a season-low 13 points in the first quarter and were never threatened again. Houston shot 58 percent for the game, including 9-of-19 from 3-point range.

The Rockets totally shut down the Nets' 1-2 punch of Devin Harris and Vince Carter, limiting them to 10 points apiece on 7-of-24 shooting with no 3-pointers.

"Devin and Vince are very good players and we were able to defend them," Yao said. "That's how we won the game. If we play defense like that, there is less pressure on me. We were in a lot of help defenses and we all helped out to shut those guys down."

Yi also struggled in the game against his countryman, scoring 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

Lakers 105, Grizzlies 96: Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and keyed a late rally to help Los Angeles snap a two-game losing streak with a victory over host Memphis. The Lakers trailed 93-88 with 3:08 left, but closed the game on a 17-3 run, including 10 points from Bryant. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 23 points.

Magic 113, Warriors 81: Jameer Nelson scored 22 points, going 9-for-9 from the field, to help host Orlando rout Golden State. Nelson had 13 points and four assists in the third period when the Magic blew open a close game with a 22-9 run. Jamal Crawford led the Warriors with 18 points.

Spurs 101, Kings 85: Tony Parker committed five turnovers in the first 10 minutes but overcame the rough start by scoring 18 points to lead host San Antonio to a victory over Sacramento. Parker added six assists in 28 minutes as the Spurs shot 52 percent and led from the 5:38 mark of the first quarter.

Nuggets 97, Trail Blazers 89: Nene scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds, Chauncey Billups added 19 points and 10 assists, and host Denver overcame the absence of Carmelo Anthony (sore right elbow) to beat Portland. LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and Travis Outlaw 15 for Portland.

Raptors 97, Clippers 75: Chris Bosh scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and Toronto beat host Los Angeles. Zach Randolph had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers.

NOTES

Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony's sore right elbow will keep him out of Denver's lineup this week, the team and the forward said yesterday. Anthony said he has two bone spurs — one in each elbow — and the team hopes resting him for a week will help.

Thunder: Oklahoma City signed former New Jersey Nets center Nenad Krstic to an offer sheet yesterday. The Nets' 2002 first-round pick has been playing in Russia this season after receiving a qualifying offer from New Jersey.

Lakers: A doctor recommended surgery for Los Angeles guard Jordan Farmar, who tore his lateral meniscus in his left knee last week against the Miami Heat.

Celtics: Boston forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis will sit out at least one more game because of a car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike that left him with a concussion and whiplash, the team said yesterday.