Chris Webber had 35 points, 12 rebounds and five assists as the Kings shaved their magic number for clinching a playoff spot down to one with a 110-87 victory over the Houston Rockets.
One also is Sacramento's lead over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division. After host Denver on Thursday, the Kings will square off against the Lakers here on Sunday.
In addition, Sacramento moved one victory away from reaching the 50-win plateau for the second consecutive season.
Bobby Jackson added 20 points and Mike Bibby contributed 15 as the Kings won for the sixth time in their last seven games. Beginning a four-game homestand, they improved their league-best home mark to 31-3.
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Rockets-Kings: 56k | 300k Mike Bibby scored 15 points, as the Kings cruised in this one. Rocky Widner NBAE/Getty Images |
Cuttino Mobley scored 17 points, Kelvin Cato contributed 16 and Steve Francis 13, eight rebounds and eight assists for Houston, which has lost three in a row overall. The Rockets have not won at Arco Arena since a 102-99 triumph on March 2, 2000.
The Kings played all but the first 90 seconds without All-Star forward Peja Stojakovic, who aggravated a hamstring injury. But they never trailed after Webber hit a jumper to give them a 12-10 lead with 5:33 left in the first quarter.







