HOUSTON, (Reuters) – Houston’s Yao Ming won a  showdown of top-flight centers with Orlando’s Dwight Howard on  Tuesday to guide the Rockets to a 93-83 home victory.

Yao schooled his younger rival with 20 points and 16  rebounds as Houston stopped Orlando (57-20) from overtaking  second-placed Boston (58-19) in the Eastern Conference.

“Each year I feel it’s harder and harder to guard him  (Howard),” Yao told reporters. “He keeps getting stronger and  he has quickness. He has learned a lot of offensive skills.”

Howard, who wound up with 13 points and 10 rebounds,  returned the compliment.

“He shot the ball well,” Howard said. “I got really  frustrated with my game.”

The 7ft, 6ins (2.29m) Yao also is very hard to defend  because of his height, said Howard, who stands 6ft 11ins  (2.11m)

The loss left the Magic a full game behind Boston.

Houston (50-28), the No. 4 team in the Western Conference,  took the lead against the Magic midway the first quarter and  enjoyed a 47-38 halftime advantage.

Orlando pulled within a point in the third quarter at 55-54  on Rafer Alston’s three-pointer, but two consecutive field  goals by Yao and a three-pointer by Shane Battier put Houston  back in control.

“I’m really pleased with the win,” Rockets coach Rick  Adelman said. “I think our guys really played hard, defended  them well.”

Ron Artest finished with 16 points, Von Wafer had 14 and  Luis Scola scored 12 for Houston while Rashard Lewis led the  Magic with 22 points and 12 rebounds, Alston adding 15 points.