EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Steve Francis scored 17 points and led a fourth-quarter rally Tuesday to help Jeff Van Gundy and the Houston Rockets to an 86-75 win over the New Jersey Nets.
Van Gundy returned to the area where he spent 6 1/2 seasons as coach of the New York Knicks and perennially held the upper hand in the Hudson River rivalry with the Nets.
Since Van Gundy abruptly resigned just under two years ago, the rivalry has tilted in favor of the Nets, who have made consecutive trips to the NBA Finals while the Knicks have missed the playoffs both seasons.
Francis also had 10 rebounds and six assists. Cuttino Mobley led Houston with 20 points. Maurice Taylor added 14 points, Jimmy Jackson 12 and Yao Ming 10 and 11 rebounds for Houston.
Richard Jefferson led New Jersey with 21 points. Jason Kidd added 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
