Rockets 119, Kings 98: Dwight Howard took advantage of a depleted Sacramento lineup, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks to lead host Houston to its third straight win.

James Harden added 24 points and nine assists for the Rockets, who have won eight of their last 10 games. Omri Casspi notched a season-best 20 points and 12 rebounds and Chandler Parsons went for 19 and 10 for Houston, which controlled the boards 55-42.

Derrick Williams scored 22 points off the bench and Isaiah Thomas contributed 20 to lead the offense for the Kings, who lost key cogs Rudy Gay (Achilles) and DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) to first-half injuries. Neither player returned to the game and each is listed as day-to-day for Sacramento, which wrapped up a six-game road trip at 2-4.

The Rockets shook off a 1-of-9 start from the field to knock down 10 of their next 15 attempts to build a 29-22 lead after the opening frame. Trailing by 11 upon Cousins' exit midway through the second, Sacramento managed to battle enough to stay within the same deficit by halftime, down 55-44 at the break.

Houston used a 33-point third quarter to extend its lead to 88-73, as the Kings began fouling Howard in an effort to stay in the game. While Howard shot just 6-of-17 from the line, the Rockets' offense never let up, outscoring Sacramento 31-25 in the final quarter to secure the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Houston has won eight of its last 11 home games against the Kings. ... Cousins, who exited with two points and four rebounds, saw his league-best double-double streak halted at 15 games - tying him with Minnesota F Kevin Love for the NBA's longest since Howard rolled off 33 in a row in 2010-11 while playing for Orlando. ... The Rockets outscored Sacramento 66-32 in the paint and 29-5 in fast break points.