Houston Rockets' Yao Ming tries to dunk the ball in the game against the New York Knicks. (Xinhua Photo)

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady goes up for a shot in the game against the Knicks. Houston Rockets wins over New York 97-90 on Monday night. (Xinhua Photo)

Yao Ming had 26 points and nine rebounds in another strong game against the Knicks, and Tracy McGrady added 24 points in the Houston Rockets' 97-90 victory over New York on Monday night.  (Xinhua Photo)

Yao Ming had 26 points and nine rebounds in another strong game against the Knicks, and Tracy McGrady added 24 points in the Houston Rockets' 97-90 victory over New York on Monday night.

McGrady scored 15 points in the second half, including six during a decisive 10-1 surge in the fourth quarter. He also made three of Houston's 10 3-pointers.

"I think somewhat in the past two games that teams are trying to drill Yao a little bit too much,¡± McGrady said, "and I've kind of been deferring too much to him in the second half, or the fourth quarter, rather. I just wanted to insert myself on the offensive end."

Rafer Alston finished with 17 points for the Rockets, who beat the Knicks for the fifth straight time, their longest winning streak ever during the series. Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy improved to 7-1 against his former team and remained unbeaten as a visiting coach on his old home floor.

The Knicks did a better job on Yao than last time, when he collected 35 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocked shots in the Rockets' 104-93 victory in Houston on Nov. 10. The 7-foot-6 Yao was only 6-of-14 from the floor.

The Rockets have won four straight at Madison Square Garden -- all since Van Gundy became Houston coach.

New York fell to 1-5 at home despite 25 points from Jamal Crawford and 22 from Channing Frye.

Editor: Donald