Shaq and Yao went head-to-head in preseason action Sunday. Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE/Getty Images

HOUSTON, Oct. 10 (Ticker) -- Shaquille O'Neal collected 17 points and seven rebounds in his debut for the Miami Heat, but Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady had 10 points apiece as the Houston Rockets posted an 85-75 triumph in the exhibition opener for both teams.

Yao and McGrady, the Rockets' prized offseason acquisition, sat the entire second half in anticipation of the team's flight to China later Sunday evening.

The Rockets and the Sacramento Kings will play exhibition games in Shanghai on October 14 and in Beijing two days later.

Heat coach Stan Van Gundy played O'Neal - who led the team in both points and rebounds - into the third quarter, but sat him in the fourth, along with the rest of his starters.

With Miami leading, 72-69, with 8:49 left to go in the game, Houston scored 16 straight points.

Point guard Tyronn Lue came off the bench to lead Houston with 14 points. He is vying for playing time with veterans Charlie Ward and Bob Sura.