HOUSTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Steve Francis scored 25 of his 31 points in the second half and stalled a comeback attempt in the final minute Sunday night as the Houston Rockets overcame 31 turnovers and defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 92-87.
The win came in spite of a struggling debut by Houston's Eddie Griffin, who made one of 10 shots from the field.
Francis, however, was in midseason form, going 13 of 18 from the field in 43 minutes, grabbing five rebounds and handing out seven assists.
The athletic guard had 18 points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth, including a 13-foot jumper that increased Houston's lead to 90-87 with 43 seconds to play.
On the ensuing possession, Spurs rookie point guard Tony Parker threw the ball off backup center Cherokee Parks and out of bounds under the Rockets' basket for one of San Antonio's 21 turnovers.
Tim Duncan and David Robinson combined for 23 points for the Spurs, who had fought back from a nine-point, third-quarter deficit, getting within 88-87 on a running jumper by Parker.
Parker, a point guard who has been outstanding in the preseason since being selected with the final pick in the first round out of France, had nine points in 27 minutes.
Houston's rookie was not as good. Griffin, the seventh overall pick who was acquired from New Jersey on draft day, looked out of his league, although he did grab six rebounds in 24 minutes.
Griffin committed only one of the Rockets' 31 turnovers. Cuttino Mobley had eight to go along with 16 points, and Francis added seven.
