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Rockets seek fourth straight win

Nov 29, 2007 - 2:08 PM Houston (9-7) at Golden State (7-7) 10:30 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets brought "The Franchise" out of hiding on Wednesday, which could spell bad news for the Golden State Warriors.

Steve Francis will try to get his legs under him for a second straight game when the Rockets visit the Warriors on Thursday.

Francis had played in just three of Houston's first 15 games before logging a season-high 27 minutes in Wednesday's 100-94 win at Phoenix. Showing an ability to create for himself with seven points in the second quarter and a defensive tenacity with a pair of steals and a pair of blocks, it could be difficult for Rockets coach Rick Adelman to keep Francis on the bench any longer.

Golden State will also have to find an answer for the dominant duo of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, who combined to score 49 of Houston's 100 points on Wednesday. McGrady is averaging 29.7 points during the Rockets' winning streak.

The Warriors are on a role as well, having won four straight to reach .500 for the first time this season.

Team captain Stephen Jackson hit a pair of key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and Matt Barnes scored 22 points to lead Golden State to a 103-96 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Jackson was suspended for the first seven games of the season as the Warriors struggled to a 1-6 start. Since his return, the club has gone 6-1, losing only to the Boston Celtics and scoring at least 100 points in each of their wins.