The New Jersey Nets sure look smart for promoting Lawrence Frank.

Maybe NBA fans knew something, too, when they voted for Yao Ming over Shaquille O'Neal.

Frank matched a league record by improving to 9-0 since taking over the Nets, who won their 10th straight game Wednesday night with a 105-85 victory in Cleveland.

``Naismith, Wooden, all of them would be proud of him,'' All-Star guard Jason Kidd said. ``He doesn't like the attention, but the team is happy for him.''

Yao had 29 points and 11 rebounds, outplaying O'Neal to lead the Rockets to a 102-87 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.

Yao also edged Shaq in fan balloting and will start at center for the Western Conference in the All-Star game Sunday.

``He made the shots, but he got the whistle, too,'' O'Neal said. ``He's a big guy and has a soft touch. I don't think he'll ever be able to play me one-on-one, ever, ever, ever. We let this one slip away.''

In other games, it was: Sacramento 96, Detroit 94; Miami 111, Orlando 98; Philadelphia 113, Washington 88; Memphis 110, the Los Angeles Clippers 102; New Orleans 106, New York 98; Minnesota 77, Utah 66; and Golden State 110, Phoenix 99.

Yao flashed an array of fluid moves and helped the Rockets pull away in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of Houston's last 15 points in the final 6:12.

``We have to make adjustments throughout the game if you're playing against the best player in the league, and he did that,'' Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. ``He went with his jump hook and he drove and he spun.''

O'Neal, who finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, fouled out with 3:20 to play. Kobe Bryant came off the injured list and scored 14 points for the Lakers.

``I was very surprised how I was able to do,'' Yao said. ``We kept moving the ball and moving our people on defense and Shaq couldn't catch up to it.''

Frank, 33, is the youngest coach in pro sports _ and he doesn't look much older than some ballboys. The former assistant was named interim coach when Byron Scott was fired on Jan. 26.

With the win, Frank tied an NBA mark for the best start as a coach shared by Kurt Rambis (Los Angeles Lakers, 1998-99) and Buddy Jeannette (Baltimore Bullets, 1947-48).

Not bad for a kid who couldn't even make his high school basketball team in Teaneck, N.J.

``He's a leader,'' said Kerry Kittles, who scored all 27 of his points in the second half. ``Give him credit, he's pushing the right buttons. He comes up with a good game plan and we all feel comfortable going in.''

The Nets became the second team in league history to win 10 straight games by more than 10 points, tying a mark set by the 1946-47 Washington Capitals coached by Red Auerbach.

New Jersey also tied a team mark with its fifth straight road win, and the Nets' 10-game winning streak is their second-longest ever. New Jersey won 11 in a row in 1982-83.

Underscoring their turnaround under Frank, the Nets became just the second team to follow a five-game losing streak by winning 10 in a row. The Denver Nuggets did that in 1977-78.

``The players deserve all the credit,'' Frank said.

Cavaliers rookie LeBron James scored nine points _ his lowest output in 29 games _ and said he won't participate in the slam dunk contest this weekend.

Kings 96, Pistons 94

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Peja Stojakovic's 22-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds left sent Detroit into the All-Star break with a season-high five-game losing streak.

Mike Bibby scored 26 points and Stojakovic had 25 for the Western Conference-leading Kings, who have won seven of eight and five straight on the road. Brad Miller added 18 points and 15 rebounds.

76ers 113, Wizards 88

At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 25 points and new coach Chris Ford was a winner in his 76ers debut.

Heat 111, Magic 98

At Orlando, Fla., Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, Rafer Alston added a season-high 23 and Miami snapped a five-game losing streak. Orlando lost its seventh straight.

Grizzlies 110, Clippers 102

At Memphis, Tenn., Pau Gasol had 22 points and eight rebounds to help the Grizzlies hold off short-handed Los Angeles.

Elton Brand had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their fourth straight. They were missing leading scorer Corey Maggette and third-leading scorer Quentin Richardson due to injuries.

Hornets 106, Knicks 98

At New Orleans, Baron Davis shook off a sore ankle and had 29 points and a career-high six steals for the Hornets, who had lost five of six. Stephon Marbury led New York with 29 points and 10 assists.

Timberwolves 77, Jazz 66

At Salt Lake City, Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 14th straight double-double. Sam Cassell finished with 24 points and seven assists.

Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points, nine rebounds and five blocks to lead the Jazz.

Warriors 110, Suns 99

At Oakland, Calif., Brian Cardinal scored a career-best 32 points, and Speedy Claxton had 19 points and a career-high 13 assists for Golden State.

Amare Stoudemire had a season-high 33 points and nine rebounds for the Suns, who fell behind by 24 early in their fifth straight loss.