ROCKETS coach Rick Adelman became one of six active NBA coaches with 800 wins in Houston on Monday as his team took care of the visiting Kings.

Rafer Alston scored 28 points and Tracy McGrady added 17 as the Rockets beat the Kings 108-100, making Adelman the 13th coach to reach the milestone.

“I know that when you hit something like that, you really think about all the good things that happen to you,” Adelman said. “I have been really fortunate to have three different teams that are very, very good and that’s why you get wins like that.”

Adelman, who won 395 games coaching the Kings from 1998-2006, is one of six active coaches with 800 wins, joining Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Don Nelson and George Karl.

“Impressive,” Alston said. “I hope they ask the question, who was on that team that helped him win 800? Years from now, people are going to remember my name.”

Shane Battier added 15 points for the Rockets, who won for the second time in five games since the end of their 22-game winning streak last Tuesday. Houston entered Monday’s action in fifth place in the Western Conference, but only one game behind New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 1 spot.

Kevin Martin scored 18, and Ron Artest and Francisco Garcia had 17 apiece to lead the Kings, who’ve lost eight of their last nine road games. Sacramento allowed 100 points for the 17th time in 18 games as Houston shot 50 percent from the field (35-of-70). Several Kings congratulated Adelman as he walked off the court.

“I helped him get a few of those,” Sacramento center Brad Miller said. “He’s a great coach to have played for.”

The Rockets led by eight midway through the fourth quarter, but baskets by Quincy Douby and John Salmons cut the lead in half. Artest scored inside with 4:13 left to pull Sacramento within two at 91-89.

Rookie Carl Landry answered with a basket inside and Alston then hit two free throws and flipped in a one-handed shot from the baseline as the Rockets took control for good.

Houston kept Sacramento at bay by going 9-of-12 from the free-throw line in the final 1:38. The Rockets went 33-for-42 from the free-throw line overall, setting season highs in both makes and attempts.

McGrady said he sprained his left shoulder fighting through a screen late in the game.

It was wrapped in ice afterward, but McGrady didn’t expect to miss today’s game against Minnesota.

The Rockets improved to 15-2 when scoring 100 points or more at home this season. Sacramento has dropped seven of its last 11 games overall, and eight of the last 11 meetings with Houston.

(SD-Agencies)