By The Associated Press

HOUSTON – Yao Ming scored 23 points, including the winning free throws with 15.2 seconds left, to lead the Houston Rockets to a 103-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Tracy McGrady had 21 points and Bob Sura had 19 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and five steals for the Rockets, who have won four straight and eight of their last 10.

Los Angeles forward Brian Cook missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds to play, and the Lakers fumbled away the ensuing rebound as the clock expired.

Cook flashed a pained smile as the Rockets stormed onto the court, and Yao pumped his fist before running into a mob of teammates to celebrate another close win.

Lamar Odom scored 14 of his 22 points in the final period and Chucky Atkins added 21 for the Lakers, who came up just short in their bid to win their first game under interim coach Frank Hamblen.

Hamblen took over Wednesday when Rudy Tomjanovich resigned as head coach, citing health concerns. Hamblen, a 57-year-old career assistant, again lobbied for the return of Phil Jackson before the game.

76ers 106, Clippers 104

PHILADELPHIA – Allen Iverson scored 28 points, including the winning free throws with 1:01 to play, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 106-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Neither team had much of a cushion in the final quarter, leading to a thrilling final few minutes and giving the sparse home crowd something to cheer about other than the Philadelphia Eagles’ appearance in the Super Bowl a few hours later.

Iverson put the Sixers ahead 104-101 on a 3-pointer with 1:44 left only to have Booby Simmons of the Clippers answer with a three-point play.

Mavericks 122, Raptors 113

TORONTO – Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points to help the Dallas Mavericks outlast the Toronto Raptors 122-113 on Sunday.

Dallas led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter, but the Raptors cut it four before Jason Terry’s 3-pointer gave the Mavericks a seven-point lead with 36 seconds left.

Toronto had won its previous two games after rallying from deficits of 22 and 19.

Michael Finley added 23 points for the Mavericks, who shot a season-high 60 percent from the field. Dallas had seven players reach double figures in scoring.

Chris Bosh had a career-high 29 points for the Raptors and Jalen Rose added 22.

Erick Dampier’s dunk gave Dallas its 25-point lead in the third, but Toronto followed with 25-3 run bridging the third and fourth quarters.

Donyell Marshall’s 3-pointer cut the lead to five with 8:53 left, but Nowitzki followed with three straight jumpers to make it a 10-point lead.

Morris Peterson’s 3-pointer cut it to four with 1:19 remaining. Nowitzki followed with an offensive foul on the other end, but Bosh slipped and turned the ball over on the next possession.

Terry followed with his 3-pointer and Nowitzki made two free throws to give Dallas a 120-111 lead with 19 seconds left.

Toronto’s 17 turnovers led to 26 points for Dallas.

The Mavericks had six turnovers in the fourth quarter, including three straight to begin the period, allowing Toronto to get back in the game.

Josh Howard had 16 points and Nowitzki added 14 as Dallas led 65-52 at halftime.

Notes: Avery Johnson coached his last game in relief of Don Nelson. Nelson, who underwent shoulder surgery, will return for Tuesday’s game against Chicago. Johnson went 7-3 in his absence.

AP-ES-02-06-05 1554EST