National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Houston 123, Sacramento 101
When: 10:00 PM ET, Monday, March 7, 2011
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
Officials: # Nick Buchert, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #9 Derrick Stafford
Attendance: 12561

Kyle Lowry had 19 points, including eight in the decisive third quarter, as the Houston Rockets moved above .500 for the first time this season with a 123-101 victory over the host Sacramento Kings on Monday.

Lowry also had eight assists and seven rebounds as the Rockets blew the game open when they outscored the Kings 30-16 in the third quarter.

Chase Budinger had 20 points, including eight in the third quarter, for Houston (33-32), which has won seven of its last eight games and remained three games behind Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Rockets made 26 of 27 free throws.

Rookie DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points - all in the first half - for Sacramento (15-46), which fell to 2-8 without leading scorer Tyreke Evans, who is out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Houston took the lead for good 38-35 on Brad Miller's three-point play with 9:07 left in the first half and led 65-58 at halftime.

Budinger is averaging 17.3 points in eight games since the All-Star break, nearly double his 9.0 season average.

The Rockets have won all three meetings this season, and four straight overall against the Kings.
Top Game Performances
 
Houston   Sacramento
Chase Budinger 20 Scoring DeMarcus Cousins 20
Kyle Lowry 8 Assists Marcus Thornton 4
Kyle Lowry 7 Rebounds Samuel Dalembert 12
Kevin Martin 8 Free Throws Made Beno Udrih 3
Chase Budinger 2 Steals DeMarcus Cousins 3
Chase Budinger 2 Blocks Samuel Dalembert 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Houston 123 53.0 9-23 26-27 23 39 5 8 16
Sacramento 101 47.4 2-6 9-11 21 42 6 8 16
Upcoming Games
  • Sacramento will play their next game at home against Orlando. The Kings have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game on the road against Phoenix. The Rockets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.