Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Samuel Dalembert finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Sacramento Kings held on to top the Houston Rockets, 104-101, at Toyota Center.
Marcus Thornton scored 21 points and DeMarcus Cousins posted 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Kings, who have won consecutive games and avoided a season sweep to Houston. Tyreke Evans posted 18 points for the victors.
Kevin Martin scored a game-high 30 points to pace the Rockets. Luis Scola posted 18 points and 10 rebounds while Kyle Lowry contributed 15 points and nine assists in the loss.
Thanks to Memphis’ loss to the Clippers earlier on Tuesday, the Rockets remain three games back of the Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with four games remaining. The Rockets loss also guaranteed the Portland Trailblazers a berth in the playoffs.
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The Rockets will essentially need to win out over their next four games while the Grizzlies or Hornets lose out. The Hornets would have the tiebreaker on the Rockets based on division record, while the Rockets would hold the tiebreaker on the Grizzlies on head-to-head results.