NBA: Rockets staves off Pistons 80-77

Despite enduring one of the worst free-throw shooting performances in franchise history, the Rockets staved off another setback with a much-needed 80-77 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Milwaukee Bucks broke a four-game losing streak with a win over the Orlando Magic. And the Denver Nuggets had a 105-99 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

Rockets tough out narrow win over Pistons

The Rockets missed 14 of their first 15 shots from the line, before settling for 6-for-22. Luckily, the Pistons seemed to miss from everywhere else. The Rockets built a double digit lead early in the second half, but kept the misfiring Pistons in it with some awful free-throw shooting. Tracy McGrady scored 29 points, while Yao Ming added 21 points and 13 rebounds, for their third win in seven games.

Bucks corner Magic 100-86

Yi Jianlian scored 18 points for the Milwaukee Bucks in a 100-86 win over the Orlando Magic, who are number 2 in the eastern conference. It was Yi's second highest game-points in his fairly short NBA career.

His shot with 3 seconds left in the first quarter pushed the Bucks into a 12-point lead.

Micheal Redd contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. That kept his team in a 10-point lead for most of the match.

Mo Williams also had 15 and Andrew Bogut had 11 before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets choke Hornets 105-99

Denver trailed 59-47 at the end of the first half before surging to a comeback.

The Nuggets' started a run near the end of the second that reached 15-0 with just over nine minutes left in the third.

Anthony Carter however, kept Denver in the game in the third quarter with nine of his 13 points, and then scored 12 of Denver's last 14 points to help the Nuggets pull away.

His two free throws and three straight baskets made it 99-96, before hitting a layup and a free throw with 38.4 seconds left to seal the 105-99 win.