Chinese superstar Yao Ming scored 21 points and Tracy McGrady added 18 as the host Rockets built a big lead and held on for a 91-82 victory over the Hornets on Saturday.
Argentina's Luis Scola had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Houston(6-4), which moved back ahead of New Orleans (5-4) into first place in the Southwest Division.
The Rockets had surrendered the top spot with Friday's loss at San Antonio in which they blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
McGrady scored nine points in the first quarter, when Houston grabbed the lead for good. The Rockets widened their lead to 48-36 at half time as they shut down Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul, limiting him to four points - all from the foul line - and cutting off his passing lanes.
Yao scored eight points in the third quarter as Houston built its advantage to 70-53 entering the final period.
NBA scoring leader LeBron James rang up 38 points in Cleveland Cavaliers' 105-93 win over Utah Jazz as the Cavaliers improved to 6-0 at home with their seventh consecutive victory overall.
James is averaging better than 34 points during the winning streak.
Carlos Boozer scored 20 points for the Jazz, who were without injured regulars Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur of Turkey and Andrei Kirilenko of Russia as they completed a 1-4 road trip.
Paul Pierce scored 28 points and Ray Allen added 27 for the visiting Celtics to win 102-97 in Milwaukee Bucks.
Celtics gave away a 12-point fourth-quarter lead but recovered in overtime for their seventh win in eight games.
Australia's Andrew Bogut scored 20 points for the Bucks.
The struggling Hawks lost their third straight and second in as many nights to the visiting Nets 107-119, who got 33 points and 10assists from Devin Harris and 29 points from Vince Carter.
Anthony Morrow scored 37 points - the most by a rookie this season - as the Warriors wrecked Baron Davis' return to Golden State in the lopsided 121-103 triumph.
Davis, who signed with the Clippers in the off-season, had 25 points and 11 assists.
Brandon Roy scored 24 points, including a pair of key baskets down the stretch, as the visiting Trail Blazers tied the Jazz atop the Northwest Division in Blazers 88-83 win over Timberwolves.
Timberwolves have lost seven in a row.
Thaddeus Young scored 23 points and Haiti's Samuel Dalembert added13 and 16 rebounds for the host 76ers to beat Thunder 110-85.
The Thunder dropped their seventh straight game and fell to aleague-worst 1-9.
Rookie Derrick Rose had 23 points and eight assists and Argentina's Andres Nocioni added 20 and 11 rebounds for the host Bulls 104-91 victory over Indian Pacers.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2008)