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McGrady still out; Rockets top Kings

Oct 18, 2008 - 3:21 AM By Gene Duffey PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman sounded less than optimistic before his team's sixth exhibition game about the chances that Tracy McGrady will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Even without the seven-time All-Star, the Rockets were able to emerge with a 95-90 victory in a preseason matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

McGrady, who underwent offseason knee surgery, has been held out of five of Houston's six preseason games and totaled just 12 minutes in his one appearance.

Ron Artest, playing against his former team, paced the Rockets with 13 points in the first quarter as the home team took a 15-point edge into halftime.

Aaron Brooks started in the backcourt for the Rockets in place of McGrady, along with regular point guard Rafer Alston, and scored 10 of his 23 points in the first half. The second-year guard out of Oregon made 4-of-8 attempts from long range while Alston added seven assists.

Yao Ming collected 15 points and Von Wafer, attempting to make the Rockets as a free agent, scored 14.

Kevin Martin led Sacramento with 19 but shot just 6-of-14 from the field.

Donte Greene, drafted by Houston out of Syracuse but sent to Sacramento as part of the offseason trade for Artest, scored nine points in 19 minutes.