Yao Ming scored 18 points, while Luther Head had 18 and broke a fourth-quarter tie with back-to-back 3-pointers that began a decisive 11-2 run. Houston swept its three-game season series with the Kings, including two victories at Arco Arena, despite failing to make a field goal in the final 4:42.

Yao and McGrady missed the Rockets' loss to Portland on Friday with back problems, but both returned impressively as Houston pulled within a half-game of the Utah Jazz for the Western Conference's fourth-best record. Neither of the Rockets' superstars appeared limited by injury, though Yao spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench.

Kevin Martin scored 24 points and Francisco Garcia had 16 for the Kings, who lost for the eighth time in 10 games to practically guarantee the end of their eight-year streak of playoff appearances.

After Head hit his difficult back-to-back 3-pointers to quiet the Kings' home crowd, Rafer Alston added another on the Rockets' next possession to put them ahead 98-91.

McGrady still hasn't recorded a triple-double in three seasons with the Rockets, but he hit two free throws in the final minute to ensure his first 40-point game since Jan. 16.

McGrady and Yao scored 16 points apiece in the first half, but Sacramento took a 12-point lead in the second quarter with at least six points apiece from four reserves.

Kings coach Eric Musselman continued his expanded use of youngsters Ronnie Price, Justin Williams and Garcia -- mostly at the expense of Mike Bibby and Brad Miller. Bibby scored just 11 points, and Miller had four.

Houston's Bonzi Wells, who spent last season in Sacramento and was the Kings' best player in their first-round playoff loss to San Antonio, got a mix of cheers and boos when he entered the game in the first quarter. He was injured during the Rockets' first trip to Sacramento in January.

Wells botched his free agency last summer when he turned down a long-term, $38.5 million offer from the Kings. Every NBA opening soon filled, and Wells had to settle for a comparatively tiny deal in Houston, where he has flopped.

During a quiet moment in the first quarter, a financially inaccurate fan shouted "Thirty-two million, Bonzi!"

Martin made his 461st free throw of the season late in the fourth quarter, breaking Otis Thorpe's franchise record for the most in one season since the Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985.