Francis Lifts Rockets By Clips

Steve Francis opted for rest instead of recording a triple-double in Houston's 110-95 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Francis had a career-high 34 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds before asking coach Rudy Tomjanovich to take him out with 2:28 left in Thursday night's game.

"We've got a game tomorrow and I wanted to come out after the game was decided to get some rest," Francis said. "I'm more happy to get the win than to get a triple-double."

"He was tremendous. He had a chance to get a triple-double and for a minute we kept him in for him to try and get it," the coach said. "But when he didn't get it for about a minute he told me to take him out and let someone else get in. That's the kind of kid he is."

"He wants to do it the right way and his game speaks for itself."

Francis was going for his second triple-double of the season; the double-double was his 15th of the season.

"He's electrifying," Clippers coach Jim Todd said after his team dropped its sixth straight. "I'm sure the fans enjoyed it. It was fun to watch. I had a good seat, but I really didn't enjoy it."

Francis hit 13 of 19 shots from the field. Cuttino Mobley came off the bench and scored 30 points and Walt Williams had 21 for the Rockets.

Lamar Odom led Los Angeles with 28 points, Derek Anderson added 20, and Tyrone esby and Eric Piatkowski had 15 apiece.

Houston built a 62-53 lead with 5:05 left in the third period after a pair of baskets by Mobley. The Clippers cut the deficit to three, 65-62, after a basket by Piatkowski with 2:51 left in the quarter.

Francis scored 12 points in the final three minutes of the third quarter to spark Houston to an 81-70 lead going into the fourth period.

Houston scored nine straight points to move ahead 92-74 with 7:21 left and the Clippers never threatened again.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first quarter, with Houston holding a 23-22 advantage going into the second period. Francis had 11 points in the first quarter.

The Clippers opened the second period by outscoring Houston 10-3, six by Odom, to lead 32-26. Houston then outscored the Clippers 10-2 in the final three minutes of the second quarter to take a 46-40 lead at the half.

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