Rockets defeat struggling Kings 106-95
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-09 16:02

Tracy McGrady scored 28 points and the Houston Rockets beat Sacramento 106-95 on Thursday night to extend the Kings' losing streak to five.

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady, left, checks out a new scar on teammate Yao Ming, of China, during the second half against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005. Houston won, 106-95. [AP]

Yao Ming had 21 points and nine rebounds for Houston, which has won three of four games since McGrady returned to the lineup following a back injury. Derek Anderson added 16 points, and David Wesley had 12.

Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby, center, gets trapped in between Houston Rockets defenders Yao Ming of China, left, and Juwan Howard during the second half, in Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005. Houston won, 106-95. [AP]

Houston, which opened a six-game, 11-day trip, was 1-9 in its previous 10 games at Arco Arena, where the Kings are an uncharacteristic 6-7 this season.

Mike Bibby had 24 points and six assists for the Kings, who have lost four games at home for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Brad Miller and Bonzi Wells each scored 21 points, and Peja Stojakovic added 15.

Houston scored 17 straight points in an 8-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. Rookie Luther Head made two 3-pointers during the run, and Anderson's two free throws made it 92-83 with 4:31 remaining.

The Kings, who held a 14-point lead midway through the third period, suddenly went cold, scoring six points during a 10-minute stretch that extended into the fourth quarter when the Rockets took control of the game.

Scoring on a variety of shots inside, Wells had nine points in a 13-3 run that helped Sacramento take a 79-73 lead into the fourth quarter.

Miller scored 12 points and both Stojakovic and Wells had 10 as the Kings demonstrated strong outside shooting in taking a 52-47 halftime lead.

During a delay in the first quarter due to a malfunction in the 24-second clock, McGrady took a courtside seat next to Kings owner Gavin Maloof. ... Former Kings player Jon Barry, who scored 24 points in Houston's season-opening win against Sacramento, has a strained right calf and did not make the trip. ... Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim were a combined 7-for-7 in the opening half when the Kings shot 61 percent.