Rockets rally to beat Kings

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

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.

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 6 points during a 10-minute stretch that extended into the fourth quarter when the Rockets took control of the game.

Pacers 111, Wizards 87 -- Stephen Jackson scored 30 points and Jermaine O'Neal had 25 to help Indiana beat Washington in Indianapolis.

The Pacers bounced back from losses to Seattle and Dallas, despite playing without forward Ron Artest. Artest, the NBA leader in steals per game and Indiana's second-leading scorer, missed the game because of a right wrist injury.

Without Artest in the lineup, Anthony Johnson and Fred Jones shared the responsibility of guarding Washington star Gilbert Arenas, the league's fourth-leading scorer. Arenas was averaging 28 points, but the Pacers held him to 17 on 5-for-18 shooting.