Second edition Yao vs. Yi not so good

MILWAUKEE -- The second edition of Yao vs. Yi didn't quite live up to its billing, as Yao Ming's Houston Rockets beat Yi Jianlian and the Milwaukee Bucks 91-83 on Saturday despite relatively quiet nights by both of China's biggest basketball exports.

Yao scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds for Houston, sitting for much of the first half after getting in early foul trouble and tweaking his ankle just before halftime.

Yi scored six points, below the rookie's average of 9.7 per game.

Tracy McGrady scored 33 to lead Houston, hitting several jumpers to hold off a late Bucks rally.

Australian Andrew Bogut added to the game's international flavor with 21 points to lead Milwaukee, often getting the best of Yao on both ends of the court.

The Bucks kept it close deep into the fourth quarter, as Bogut had a chance for a three-point play after making a hook shot over Yao and getting fouled. The shot cut Houston's lead to 78-74 with 2:54 remaining, but Bogut missed the free throw and McGrady hit a 19-foot jumper on the other end to put Houston ahead by seven.

McGrady then hit another long jumper to put Houston up 83-74 with 1:36 left. Milwaukee's Bobby Simmons hit three 3-pointers in the final 44.5 seconds, but the Bucks' rally fell short.

Milwaukee has lost three straight, including a 43-point loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday. Houston has won three straight.