NBA: New Orleans 76, Houston 73

HOUSTON, April 1 (UPI) -- Chris Anderson made five key free throws down the stretch Friday night as New Orleans rallied to down Houston, 76-73.

The Hornets came back from an 18-point deficit and took advantage of the absence of Houston's Yao Ming, who is suffering from a sore right calf.

Lee Nailon paced New Orleans with 16 points and Dan Dickau had 14.

Anderson's free throws allowed New Orleans to open a seven-point lead with just over a minute to play. Houston still managed to give itself a chance at the end, but a three-pointer by Jon Berry failed at the buzzer.

Houston, which was led by Tracy McGrady's 21 points, slipped back into sixth place in the West, a half game behind Sacramento.