Rockets nip Kings 82-78 for first win, Yao scores 17
(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-10-15 16:14

Steve Francis was a spark in Houston's 82-78 win over the Kings on Tuesday. [NBA.com]

Steve Francis scored 29 points as the Houston Rockets snapped a four-game losing streak with their first exhibition victory, 82-78 Tuesday night over the Sacramento Kings.

It was clear Houston's new coach Jeff Van Gundy did not want to add to the losing streak. He stayed primarily with an eight-man rotation throughout and the Rockets responded, leading for much of the evening. A ninth player, Gabe Muoneke, played one minute.

Yao Ming had 17 points and seven rebounds for Houston (1-4). Kelvin Cato added 12 rebounds, while both Bostjan Nachbar and Jim Jackson scored nine points.

Peja Stojakovic added 16 points and Bobby Jackson fueled the Kings' (2-2) second-half comeback, scoring 10 of his 16 points.

Starting in place of Doug Christie, who rested and did not play, Gerald Wallace enjoyed his best game of the preseason, getting 15 points and 15 rebounds.

After Brad Miller made a 3-pointer, cutting the lead to 79-76, Francis countered with two free throws with 10.3 seconds left and another one seven seconds later to secure the victory.

Although the Kings made a comeback in the third quarter, highlighted by a vicious dunk and three-point play from the acrobatic Wallace, it was Houston keeping the lead, thanks to Francis.

The flashy point guard scored 11 points in the third period when Sacramento held a 24-19 edge, cutting the lead to 66-63 entering the fourth quarter.