Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin dunks against the Seattle Supersonics in Sacramento on Tuesday night. The Kings won 104-98. - Reuters

HOUSTON (Reuters):

THE HOUSTON Rockets handed the San Antonio Spurs their first loss of the season on Tuesday night, Yao Ming's 28 points and 13 rebounds leading the home team to an 89-81 victory over the NBA champions.

The Rockets lost by nine points at Dallas on Monday but raised their record to 4-1 by beating San Antonio for the first time at the Toyota Center in their last five attempts.

The Spurs had opened the season with three straight victories.

"The guys just did a great job," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.

The Rockets dominated the boards, out-rebounding San Antonio 55-28 to win a game in which Houston's Tracy McGrady hit just four of his 14 shots and finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

"We all understand how good we can be," McGrady said.

"For the guys that have been in this league for a long time, our window of opportunity is closing.

"We understand that and it's about time. We have a great nucleus of talent here, so why not now?"

Strong defence

Yao also dished out six assists and played strong defence when he was matched up with Tim Duncan, limiting the Spurs centre to 1-for-9 shooting in the second quarter.

Duncan wound up 5-for-15 and had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Manu Ginobli led the Spurs with 23 points and Tony Parker added 21.

Bonzi Wells added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers moved to 3-0 with a 97-91 road win over the 0-4 Chicago Bulls despite missing injured mainstays Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston.

Cuttino Mobley scored 33 points and Corey Maggette had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the win.

The Orlando Magic improved to 3-1 as Dwight Howard had 28 points and 16 rebounds and Rashard Lewis 27 points in an 111-103 road win over the 0-3 Minnesota Timberwolves.

The New Orleans Hornets raised their record to 4-0 with a 118-104 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers as Peja Stojakovic hit 10-of-13 three-point attempts and scored 36 points, while Chris Paul had 19 points and 21 assists.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points for the Lakers (2-2).