Los Angeles - Tracy McGrady showed how good the Houston Rockets can be when he's healthy.

China's Yao Ming scored 32 points while McGrady posted his fourth career triple-double - the first of the season - with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as the Rockets cooled off the Denver Nuggets, with a 108-96 home-court victory on Tuesday night.

"I've been toying with it (triple-double) for a few games now and I finally got it," said McGrady, whose surgically-repaired left knee has had the All-Star guard in and out of the line-up all season. "It was just recognizing what they were doing, making plays for my team and doing whatever it takes to win this game."

"It's such a difference when Tracy's feeling better and he's moving," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "He can make shots, he can get to the basket and create so much havoc, because he's such a good passer that he opens it up for everyone else."

Ron Artest, sidelined the last two games with a sprained right ankle, contributed 20 points while speedy Aaron Brooks, filling in for point guard Rafer Alston (strained left hamstring) added 18 for the Rockets (16-9) who outscored their guests, 52-35 in the second half.

"We had a great second half, allowing them 35 points in the second after giving up 36 in the second quarter," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "When we lock up like that, that's when were at our best."

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and JR Smith had 17 for the Nuggets (17-8) who had won 16 of their previous 20 games, including four in a row.

"Yao really had it going. T-Mac hit timely shots and Artest did his part hitting big shots," Anthony said of the Rockets "Big Three. "They stepped it up in the second half and played solid defense."

In a free-wheeling first half, Denver shot a sizzling 57 per cent and hit seven three-pointers to go up 61-56.

They led 67-60 with eight minutes left in the third quarter, before Battier buried a pair of threes and Brooks added one to trigger a 25-12 closing run, giving the Rockets an
85-79 advantage

Artest opened the final frame with seven quick points and Yao added short hook, pushing the lead to 94-85. After Anthony's three- pointer with 5:20 remaining pulled the Nuggets within 94-88. The Rockets put it away.

Brooks hit a basket and Artest drained a three-pointer - his 10th point of the period - before Yao sank two free throws, making it 101- 88 with 2:44 left.

"Give our guys credit," Adelman said. "They really came out in the second half and dug in defensively. It was a really big game for us against a really good team."

Elsewhere:

LA Lakers 116, New York Knicks 114

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points, and Derek Fisher sank three free throws in the final 6.4 seconds as the Lakers rallied past the visiting Knicks.

Lamar Odom had 17 points with 12 rebounds in place of ill Spaniard Pau Gasol for the Lakers (21-3), who trailed 65-50 at halftime.

Nate Robinson led the Knicks (11-14) with a season-high of 33 points off the bench while David Lee accumulated 18 with 14 rebounds.

Robinson's three-pointer gave New York a 113-112 lead. But Trevor Ariza (13 points) made an alley-oop laying off a pass from Odom with 63 seconds left to put the Lakers on top for good.

After Fisher and Robinson traded two free throws apiece, the Lakers veteran guard sank one more from the stripe to seal their 14th win in the last 16 games.

Charlotte Hornets 110, Chicago Bulls 101 (OT)

Rookie guard J Augustin scored 16 of his career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, as the host Bobcats snapped a seven- game slide.

Raymond Felton netted 21 points while Emeka Okafor had 20 with 13 rebounds for Charlotte (8-18), which closed the overtime on a 10-1 run.

Ben Gordon topped the Bulls (11-13) with 26 points, while Tyrus Thomas had 22 off the bench.

New Orleans Hornets 91, Memphis Grizzlies 84

David West scored 18 points, while Chris Paul had 18 with nine assists as the visiting Hornets closed on a 10-3 run to snap the Grizzlies' season-best four-game winning streak.

Rudy Gay topped Memphis (9-18) with 28 points and O. J. Mayo added 20.

LA Clippers 98, Oklahoma City Thunder 88

Zach Randolph had 22 with 14 rebounds while Eric Gordon also scored 22, leading the lowly Clippers (7-17) to their season-high third straight victory.

Kevin Durant scored 25 for the league-worst Thunder (2-24) which extended its franchise-record home losing streak to 11 games.

Portland Trail Blazers 109, Sacramento Kings 77

Brandon Roy scored 29 points, LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 and 10 rebounds, and the Trail Blazers stopped a three-game slide by routing the visiting Kings.

John Salmons had 21 points for the Kings (7-19) who have lost 14 of their last 17 games, including 1-1 since interim coach Kenny Natt replaced fired Reggie Theus on Monday. (dpa)