Giant center Yao Ming scored 34 points to lead Houston to an 85-82 came-from-behind win over Charlotte, as the Rockets once again road their Chinese superstar to victory.

Yao, of Shanghai, was a perfect eight-of-eight from the free-throw line and shot 13-of-15 from the field.

Tracy McGrady was the only other Rocket in double figures with 26 points.

"I don't think there's a better 1-2 combination," Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace said.

"Yao, once he posts in the block, he is so hard to guard. Once he gets the ball, he is almost unstoppable and is also a great passer. That might be the best 1-2 combination since (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen."

Charlotte had a five-point lead after the third quarter but Houston rallied to outscore the Bobcats by eight points over the final 12 minutes.

Yao made two free throws to give the Rockets the lead for good with 20.4 seconds left.

(CRI via Agencies November 12, 2007)