Los Angeles (dpa) – Tracy McGrady showed how good the Houston Rockets can be when he’s healthy.

China’s Yao Ming scored 32 points while McGrady posted his fourth career triple-double – the first of the season – with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as the Rockets cooled off the Denver Nuggets, with a 108-96 home-court victory on Tuesday night.

“I’ve been toying with it (triple-double) for a few games now and I finally got it,” said McGrady, whose surgically-repaired left knee has had the All-Star guard in and out of the line-up all season. “It was just recognizing what they were doing, making plays for my team and doing whatever it takes to win this game.”

“It’s such a difference when Tracy’s feeling better and he’s moving,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “He can make shots, he can get to the basket and create so much havoc, because he’s such a good passer that he opens it up for everyone else.”

Ron Artest, sidelined the last two games with a sprained right ankle, contributed 20 points while speedy Aaron Brooks, filling in for point guard Rafer Alston (strained left hamstring) added 18 for the Rockets (16-9) who outscored their guests, 52-35 in the second half.

“We had a great second half, allowing them 35 points in the second after giving up 36 in the second quarter,” Rockets forward Shane Battier said. “When we lock up like that, that’s when were at our best.”

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and JR Smith had 17 for the Nuggets (17-8) who had won 16 of their previous 20 games, including four in a row.

“Yao really had it going. T-Mac hit timely shots and Artest did his part hitting big shots,” Anthony said of the Rockets “Big Three. “They stepped it up in the second half and played solid defense.”

In a free-wheeling first half, Denver shot a sizzling 57 per cent and hit seven three-pointers to go up 61-56.

They led 67-60 with eight minutes left in the third quarter, before Battier buried a pair of threes and Brooks added one to trigger a 25-12 closing run, giving the Rockets an
85-79 advantage

Artest opened the final frame with seven quick points and Yao added short hook, pushing the lead to 94-85. After Anthony’s three- pointer with 5:20 remaining pulled the Nuggets within 94-88. The Rockets put it away.

Brooks hit a basket and Artest drained a three-pointer – his 10th point of the period – before Yao sank two free throws, making it 101- 88 with 2:44 left.

“Give our guys credit,” Adelman said. “They really came out in the second half and dug in defensively. It was a really big game for us against a really good team.” (dpa)