National Basketball Association star Yao Ming of China thrilled his hometown fans with 14 points to lead the Houston Rockets to an 88-86 win over the Sacramento Kings in Shanghai.

In the first ever NBA game played in China, Yao got on the board in the seventh minute with a decisive dunk. He added two more points on a short pass from Tracy McGrady, getting big cheers from the capacity crowd at Shanghai's city gymnasium.

Sacramento's Chinese hopeful Liu Wei came into the exhibition game in the second quarter and scored three minutes later with a jump shot.

Yao had said he would not cut Liu any slack and fouled his fellow Chinese Olympic Team member with two minutes left in the half. On the ground, Liu looked up at Yao for a helping hand, but Yao remained where he was with his hands on his hips.

Houston and Sacramento will conclude their two-match tour of China with a game on Sunday in Beijing.