HOUSTON: Houston's Yao Ming won a showdown of top-flight centers with Orlando's Dwight Howard on Tuesday to guide the Rockets to a 93-83 home victory.

Yao schooled his younger rival with 20 points and 16 rebounds as Houston stopped Orlando (57-20) from overtaking second-placed Boston (58-19) in the Eastern Conference.

"Each year I feel it's harder and harder to guard him (Howard)," Yao told reporters. "He keeps getting stronger and he has quickness. He has learned a lot of offensive skills."