Sacramento Makes Up for Poor Finish

Kenny Thomas’ dunk 28 seconds into the fourth quarter clearly had a little extra oomph behind it.

Just like that, the Sacramento Kings knew they would score more baskets than they managed in the same quarter two days earlier against the Utah Jazz.

Mike Bibby scored 23 points, Kevin Martin added 20 and the Kings made more than enough field goals in the fourth quarter of a 96-78 victory over the Jazz on Sunday at Sacramento.

Despite a bruised hip, Ron Artest scored nine points for the Kings, who rebounded from a humiliating 0-for-20 shooting effort Friday in the fourth quarter at Salt Lake City. They managed 12 points on free throws while blowing a 12-point lead in an 89-79 loss.

This time, the Kings went 11 of 19 from the field.

Sacramento won its fifth straight at Arco Arena and hasn’t lost at home since Jan. 8 but is 1-6 on the road in that stretch.

Mehmet Okur had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz.

Houston 93, New York 89 -- Tracy McGrady scored 23 points and David Wesley added 19, including four free throws in the final 23 seconds, to help the visiting Rockets win three in a row for the first time since it won five straight in early December.

In his debut with the Knicks since being traded from Toronto on Friday, Jalen Rose scored 16 points on four-of-12 shooting in 41 minutes. He also had 11 assists.

Jamal Crawford led the way with 24 points for the Knicks, who have lost five in a row and 11 of their last 12. Knick scoring leader Stephon Marbury missed his second straight game because of an injured left shoulder.