Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists as the Miami [Images] Heat defused the Houston Rockets 88-84 on Thursday at the American Airlines Arena.

Alonzo Mourning, seeing more minutes in the absence of injured Shaquille O'Neal, chipped in with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Heat, whose win gave coach Stan Van Gundy family bragging rights over brother and Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Yao Ming scored 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets but was not a factor in the final two quarters.

Derek Anderson contributed 20 points, six rebounds and five assists and Stromile Swift bagged 12 points for Houston, who were also missing top player Tracy McGrady due to back problems.

The Rockets slipped to 0-3 without McGrady in their line-up.

The Heat trailed 66-60 early in the final quarter before going on an 11-1 run to take the lead 74-72. They opened up a six-point cushion at 83-77 and held on for the win.

In Atlanta, Elton Brand poured in 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers eased past the winless Hawks 102-95.

Sam Cassell chipped in with 21 points and nine assists and Corey Maggette had 17 points as the Clippers continued their fast start to the season, improving to 5-1.

Joe Johnson paced the Hawks with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Zaza Pachulia added 16 points and 13 boards.

In Phoenix, Chauncey Billups scored 27 points and dished out 11 assists as the Detroit Pistons remained the NBA's only unbeaten team with a 111-104 win over the Suns.

Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton each contributed 18 points to the Pistons' cause, while Rasheed Wallace notched 16.