MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Chucky Atkins scored 19 points in his first start for Memphis and the Grizzlies defeated Houston 86-77 on Monday night, despite the return of Yao Ming to the Rockets’ lineup.

Atkins, released from the Washington Wizards, signed with Memphis a week ago. Inserted into the starting lineup after four games coming off the bench, he responded by hitting his first two shots of the game.

Yao, who missed 21 games because of a foot injury that required surgery, had 15 points and eight rebounds. But he couldn’t keep the Rockets from losing their third straight.

Memphis held a 15-point lead early in the fourth and maintained the double-digit margin through much of the rest of the game.

Tracy McGrady’s 3-pointer with 25 seconds left got Houston within 82-77, but Eddie Jones and Atkins hit two free throws each to seal it.

McGrady led the Rockets with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Juwan Howard finished with 18 on 8-of-11 shooting.

Pau Gasol added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, Mike Miller scored 17 and Shane Battier had 12 points.

Yao’s return seemed to inspire the Rockets early. The 7-foot-6 center hit his first three shots, McGrady was successful from the wings, and Houston shot 62.5 percent in the first quarter.

But despite the Rockets’ shooting and Gasol’s ineffectiveness inside, missing his first three shots against Howard, Memphis stayed close. The Grizzlies finally took the lead midway through the second period.

The Grizzlies would carry a 43-39 lead into the half, led by Atkins’ 13 points, including a 3-pointer with 31 second left in the half.

McGrady led the Rockets with 11 points as Houston shot 52 percent in the half.

The Grizzlies got a surprise spark from little-used Jake Tsakalidis, who hit all three of his first-half shots and had a couple of blocks on Yao.

Memphis would maintain the lead in the third, extending it to 67-52 with just under two minutes left in the period on Miller’s 3-pointer and Gasol’s dunk. The Grizzlies carried a 68-55 lead into the final period.

Notes: Howard received a technical in the first quarter when he got tangled up with Gasol. … McGrady and Yao played only their 15th game together this season. … Houston is 0-9 against the Southwest Division.

AP-ES-01-30-06 2243EST