Yao Ming had 29 points and 11 rebounds, outplaying Shaquille O’Neal to lead the Houston Rockets over the Los Angeles Lakers 102-87 on Wednesday night.

After a closely fought three quarters, the Rockets pulled away behind Yao, who scored 11 of Houston’s last 15 points in the final 6:12. He hit five free throws and three field goals, including a hook over O'Neal.

O'Neal, who finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, fouled out with 3:20 to play. Kobe Bryant came off the injured list and scored 14 points for the Lakers.

The Rockets went ahead 73-63 late in the third quarter, and Yao got them off to a quick start in the fourth with two free throws and a jumper. Steve Francis and Jim Jackson hit 3-pointers to boost the lead to 83-69 with 9:01 to play.

Francis then hit two free throws after a flagrant foul against O'Neal, and the Rockets were up 85-70. They beat the Lakers for the second time this season.

The battle between All-Star centers started when O'Neal scored on a hook over Yao for the Lakers’ first points. Yao scored over O'Neal moments later.

It was the fourth meeting between the players. Yao got more votes than O'Neal and will start for the Western Conference in the All-Star game Sunday.

In the four meetings, O'Neal still leads Yao 116-63 in points.

Gary Payton scored 19 points for Los Angeles.

There were 14 lead changes in the first quarter before the Rockets took the lead late in the period and held on for a 46-45 lead at halftime. Houston led most of the first half. The Lakers took a brief 43-42 lead late in the second quarter before Yao’s dunk over O'Neal put Houston ahead.

Yao gave the crowd its biggest thrill in the first quarter when he came racing through the lane and batted away a shot by Stanislav Medvedenko.

Notes: Houston's Maurice Taylor has the second-highest scoring average for players without a start this season at 11.8 points in 44 appearances. ... Houston has a winning record in every month this season. The last time that happened was the 1993-94 season, when the Rockets won the first of back-to-back NBA championships. ... To make room for Bryant, the Lakers placed forward-center Jamal Sampson on the injured list with a sprained right ankle. ... Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter coached the Rockets from 1971-73, their first season and a half in Houston.

(Agencies February 13, 2004)