Yao Ming scored 21 points Wednesday to send the Houston Rockets over the Philadelphia 76ers 80-72.

Cuttino Mobley had 20 points and Steve Francis added 15 as the Rockets ended a two-game home losing streak.

"We had to start the New Year off right," Mobley said. "We didn't play our best, but we won. I guess we're making progress."

Kenny Thomas had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Greg Buckner had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers. They have lost four straight, all on the road, and are 4-7 with Allen Iverson - sidelined by a right knee contusion - out of the lineup.

"We had no defensive toughness at all," 76ers coach Randy Ayers said. "For us to be a competitive team in this league, we have to be tough. You have to make guys get up the court and play aggressive defense."

Houston scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter to take its biggest lead at 70-56. The 76ers missed their first eight shots of the period.

"I liked the start of the fourth quarter,'' Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "It's always good to win. I think some guys did some good things. Even though (the 76ers) were undermanned, they play hard and are well coached and always play you close."

After trailing by six at the half, the 76ers closed to 58-56 after three quarters, with Buckner scoring six points in the period.

The 76ers missed 10 of their first 14 shots and fell behind 20-12 in the first 8:24.

The Rockets went cold in the second quarter, missing 13 of their first 15 shots from the field. Philadelphia went on a 15-5 run during that time to take a 30-29 lead with 3:52 left.

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