Houston Rockets Team Report - January 24

(Basketball News) - Steve Francis finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead Houston to a 78-74 win over Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse on Friday.

Yao Ming added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who won their second straight and for the fifth time in six games. Jim Jackson delivered 14 points and 10 rebounds

Cuttino Mobley finished with 12 points and five assists for Houston, which scored four straight points to go ahead 75-73 with 1:21 left in the fourth quarter. Two foul shots by Yao put the team ahead for good.

Jermaine O’Neal hit 1-of-2 foul shots to pull Indiana within 75-74 with 41 seconds to go.

After a turnover by the Rockets, O’Neal’s jumper deflected off the bottom of the backboard. Mobley hit a pair of foul shots with 2.7 seconds left to put the Houston ahead 77-74.

An errant cross-court inbound pass prevented the Pacers from attempting the game-tying shot, and Clarence Weatherspoon secured Houston’s victory by making 1-of-2 foul shots with a second remaining.

The Rockets return to action on Sunday against Orlando.