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Artest helps Rockets top shorthanded Spurs

Oct 10, 2008 - 3:10 AM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Ron Artest scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half to lead the Houston Rockets to an 85-78 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in preseason play Thursday night.

San Antonio played without starters Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley along with Manu Ginobili in its first exhibition game while Houston's Tracy McGrady sat out for the second straight contest.

Spurs' regulars - guard Tony Parker and center Fabricio Oberto - each scored eight points. Parker played 14 minutes in the first half before sitting out the second.

The Rockets led just 31-30 in the second quarter when they went on a 17-2 run to open a 48-32 advantage with 1:51 left before halftime.

Free agent signing Von Wafer started the Rockets' surge with a three-point play before rookie Joey Dorsey followed with consecutive dunks for a 38-30 cushion with 4:55 remaining. Artest then nailed two straight 3-pointers and connected on two free throws to make it 46-30.

A layup by Jacque Vaughn ended Houston's 15-0 flurry, but the Rockets eventually took a 50-34 lead at the break.

Yao Ming scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in 24 minutes for the Rockets.

Rookie Malik Hairston led San Antonio with 10 points.