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Steve Francis had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Houston Rockets to a 78-74 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis hugs center Yao Ming, of China, after he made a basket and got fouled during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 23, 2004. Houston won, 78-74. [AP]

Yao Ming scored five of his 17 points in the final 4:15 to hold off Jermaine O'Neal and Indiana, which lost for the first time in six games and just the second in 14.

O'Neal had 31 points and three blocks, but didn't get much help from his teammates. O'Neal was the only Pacer in double figures, going 12-for-25 from the floor. His teammates were 16-for-51.

The news wasn't all bad for Indiana. Minnesota's 80-79 win over the Detroit Pistons means the Pacers will have the best record in the East at the All-Star break. That ensures that Carlisle will coach the East squad at the game in Los Angeles on Feb. 15.

O'Neal's superior play kept Indiana in the game. He drove past Yao and scored to tie the game at 73 with 2:16 to play.

Houston responded by going 6-for-6 from the free throw line, and Indiana missed several opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments.

O'Neal missed a free throw that would have tied it and a desperation 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down in the last 30 seconds.

Cuttino Mobley corralled the loose ball and hit both free throws.

With one more shot to tie, an errant inbounds pass went over Reggie Miller's head and out of bounds.

Francis led four Rockets in double figures. Yao had 12 rebounds to go with his 17 points, Jim Jackson scored 14, including four 3-pointers, and Mobley added 12.

Ron Artest, Indiana's second-leading scorer, continued to struggle from the floor while playing with an injured left thumb.

Artest scored nine points on 3-of-18 shooting. He's 15-for-50 in the last three games while playing with his left (non-shooting) thumb heavily wrapped.

Carlisle said before the game that Artest would not play, but 30 minutes before tipoff, Artest said he was OK.

Notes@ Olympic wrestling champion Rulon Gardner was an honorary captain at the game. ... Recently signed Rockets G Mark Jackson got a nice ovation when he entered the game in the second quarter. Jackson led the Pacers to three consecutive Eastern Conference finals and the 2000 NBA Finals. ... Miller played in his 1,287th game, moving him ahead of Sam Perkins for ninth on the NBA's all-time games played list. ... Houston improved to 4-13 when trailing after the first period.

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