(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-27 15:14

LOS ANGELES - Tracy McGrady scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets capitalized on another key injury to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 88-71 victory Monday night.

Houston Rockets', left to right, Mike James, Luis Scola, of Argentina, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming, of China, check on teammate Steve Francis after he fell to the floor on a foul by Los Angeles Clippers' Dan Dickau during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, in Los Angeles. [Agencies]

Rafer Alston added 17 points for the Rockets, who have posted back-to-back wins following a six-game losing streak, and have beaten the Clippers four straight times at Staples Center. Yao Ming had 14 points and eight rebounds.

The Clippers, who haven't shot 50 percent or better an any of their first 13 games, finished at 32.9 percent and have dropped seven of nine contests after a 4-0 start. Chris Kaman led them with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

The Clippers lost point guard Sam Cassell with 8:18 left in the first quarter after he strained his left calf defending Alston away from the ball in front of the Houston bench. Cassell is one of only five Clippers to play in every game this season, along with Kaman, Tim Thomas, Ruben Patterson and Quinton Ross.

Two other Clippers, forward Corey Maggette and point guard Brevin Knight, were pressed into service after coach Mike Dunleavy classified them as game-time decisions in his pregame session with reporters. Maggette, who missed the previous four games with a right hamstring strain, scored 21 points off the bench on 7-for-13 shooting. Knight played 13 scoreless minutes after missing two games with a groin strain.

The Rockets let the banged-up Clippers hang around for three tedious quarters before blowing the game open with a 22-5 run in the first 5:04 of the fourth. McGrady, who helped fuel the pivotal rally with 14 points started it with two free throws and a pair of 17-footers. The seven-time All-Star added a three-point play off an acrobatic reverse layup and capped the run with an 18-footer.