NBA ROUNDUP : Rockets Win to Clinch Playoff Spot

The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings continued streaking--in opposite directions.

Otis Thorpe had 28 points and 12 rebounds and Kenny Smith scored 20 points as the Rockets won a franchise-record 10th consecutive game, defeating the Kings, 98-87, Thursday night at Houston.

The Kings lost their 30th consecutive road game, an NBA single-season record. It also was Sacramento’s 18th loss in a row at The Summit.

The victory enabled the Rockets to clinch their seventh consecutive playoff berth. Their 42-24 record is their best ever after 66 games.

The victory broke the franchise record of nine consecutive victories, set in 1977, and put the Rockets 18 games above .500 for the first time since 1985-86.

Despite the Rockets’ streak, Coach Don Chaney says there is room for improvement. “I still feel we’re not sharp,” he said. “Maybe we’re in a comfort zone. In terms of 48 minutes, we need to be sharper and show some re-dedication.”

Orlando 105, San Antonio 102--Jeff Turner’s layup put the Magic ahead for good, and Jerry Reynolds added two free throws and blocked Sean Elliott’s three-point shot in the final 10 seconds to help the Magic hold off the Spurs at Orlando.

Orlando ended a four-game losing streak. The loss was the third in four games for the Spurs, who are challenging Utah for first place in the Midwest Division despite losing nine of their last 12 road games.

Nick Anderson led the Magic with 27 points.

Utah 100, Charlotte 94--Karl Malone scored 31 points and John Stockton had 20 points and 16 assists as the Jazz won at Utah. Charlotte led, 79-77, early in the fourth quarter before the Jazz took control with a 12-6 run.

Johnny Newman scored 21 points for Charlotte, including 13 in the first quarter.

The victory gave Utah a sweep of its two regular-season games with the Hornets. Charlotte lost for the fifth time in six games.

“For some reason, teams that are below .500, we really seem to struggle with,” Utah Coach Jerry Sloan said. “They come in here and get up for us.”

Golden State 136, Denver 116--The Warriors received 95 points from Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway to beat the Nuggets at Oakland. Richmond had 30 points, Mullin 29 and Hardaway 26 as Golden State won the sixth time in eight games.

Michael Adams led the Nuggets with 23 points.