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.