Baron Davis scored 18 points and led the New Orleans Hornets to a 89-71 preseason victory Sunday night in the Houston Rockets' first game in their new $202 million arena, the Toyota Center.

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming (R) shoots over Seattle SuperSonics' Jerome James during the first quarter of an exhibition game Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in North Little Rock, Ark. Yao scored 20 points in his first appearance of the exhibition season in the Rockets' 96-86 loss to the Seattle Supersonics. [AP]

The Rockets left their old home at Compaq Center after 28 seasons and two NBA championships for their downtown arena with a capacity of 18,500 plus 94 luxury suites, a gourmet restaurant and wine cellar.

Only 10,068 fans showed up for the debut and the Rockets were equally uninspired, falling behind on David Wesley's 3-point basket to start the game and the Hornets never trailed.

The Rockets dropped to an 0-4 preseason record in their first season under new coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Leading 53-39 at the half, the Hornets never allowed their lead to get under 10 points in the final two quarters and led by as many as 19 points. Wesley had 16 points for New Orleans and Courtney Alexander added 12.

Steve Francis led the Rockets with 17 points. Yao Ming played his second game with the Rockets since he finished playing for the Chinese national team. He had 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Jim Jackson had 10 points for the Rockets.

The Hornets led 28-18 at the end of the first quarter on the outside shooting of Wesley, Baron Davis and George Lynch.

The Rockets made one run in the second quarter, pulling to a 36-31 deficit with 5:32 left in the period. Lynch and Davis paced an 18-8 over the rest of the half and the Hornets led by 15 at intermission.

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