SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Rudy Gay walked off the court to a standing ovation in the final minutes, receiving high-fives from coaches and teammates on the bench -- and a hug from DeMarcus Cousins. Nobody might be more thankful than Sacramentos centre for the added help. Gay scored 26 points in his first home game since coming over in a trade from Toronto, leading the Kings past the Houston Rockets 106-91 on Sunday night. "It makes the game so much easier," Cousins said. "Its not such a heavy load on me and Isaiah (Thomas) every night, just having another go-to guy." With Gay leading the way, Sacramento outshot Houston 48.1 to 41.3 per cent and finally showed some signs of defence. Cousins collected 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Thomas had 19 points and eight assists to help Sacramento hold on to the lead for most of the final 35 minutes. Gay added five rebounds and four assists. He finished 10 for 20 from the field in a dazzling home debut for the Kings, who had lost eight of their past 10 games. "The basketball is going to be in my hands a lot," Gay said, "so Im just trying to keep everybody comfortable and keep everybody happy." James Harden sprained his left ankle early in the third quarter and finished with 25 points, and Dwight Howard had 13 points and 10 rebounds while battling foul trouble in a disappointing end to Houstons quick three-game road trip. The Rockets lost at Portland on Thursday and won at Golden State on Friday. Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson filled in for Kevin McHale all three games following the death of McHales mother. Guard Jeremy Lin sat out with back spasms and forward Terrence Jones had two points and five assists while playing just 15 minutes because of flu-like symptoms. Its unclear whether Harden or Lin will be able to play Wednesday against Chicago in Houston. "Its very, very painful," Harden said of his ankle. "I am trying to get through this, stay positive and focus on getting back." Sacramentos newest attraction seized the opportunity. Gay, who came over in a seven-player trade from Toronto last week, had 24 points in the loss at Phoenix on Friday. He started quickly in his first game at home for Sacramento, scoring 14 points in the first quarter, including a series of scintillating drives and dunks that brought most of the announced crowd of 15,606 roaring to their feet. "It makes my job easier on offence. Thats for sure," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "Hes so skilled. Hes so talented. He makes it look so easy out there. He can score in so many ways." As Houstons mistakes piled up, Sacramento surged ahead. The Kings took advantage of 11 turnovers by the Rockets in the first half to go ahead 48-38 late in the second quarter. Houston had six turnovers in the second half. Sacramento didnt exactly play a clean game, either. The Kings finished with 16 turnovers. "We still had opportunities to win," Howard said. "But we didnt capitalize on them." Harden gave the Rockets a bigger scare when he twisted his ankle stepping on Ben McLemores foot while driving through traffic early in the third quarter. Harden lay on the hardwood for a couple minutes, but stayed in the game to make both free throws -- lifting his left foot in the air while shooting -- before limping to the locker room. Harden returned later in the quarter, and appeared slightly hampered. The Rockets also struggled to regroup, especially with Howard on the bench in foul trouble. Sampson admitted he "probably should not have put" Harden back in the game. But he was more frustrated with Houstons effort from the start. "I didnt think we were ready to play," Sampson said. "I didnt think it was a good effort. We are letting too many of these type of games slip away." NOTES: Kings G Marcus Thornton did not play in the first half. He had two points in nearly 7 minutes in the second half. ... Houston had won five of its previous six games at Sacramento. ... Rockets big man Omer Asik, who has been the subject of trade rumours, missed his sixth straight game with what the team has called a bruised right thigh. Mark Eichhorn Jersey . Gordon reportedly failed another drug test and is facing a one-year ban. Gordon led the NFL in yards receiving last season despite being suspended two games for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. Cecil Fielder Blue Jays Jersey . - The Seattle Seahawks have signed nine players to 2014 future contracts, including quarterback B. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/456h-vladimir-guerrero-jr-jersey-blue-jays.html . -- Ryan Millers debut for the St. Jerry Garvin Jersey . The football club recently announced an increase in season ticket prices in five of the seven categories at Investors Group Field for 2014. While most increases are in the two to three per cent range, the clubs most affordable season tickets will jump from $199 to $250 — a 26 per cent leap. Buck Martinez Blue Jays Jersey . Paire broke Giraldo twice and lost his serve once in both sets to wrap up the win in 1 hour, 10 minutes. He will next face Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, who advanced when Jurgen Zopp of Estonia retired with an injury at 5-5 in the first set. DALLAS -- Henrik Lundqvist was in such a zone, it was impressive enough that the Dallas Stars got two pucks past the New York Rangers goalie. However, that left them one short. Lundqvist made a season-high 41 saves -- including a career-best 23 in the first period -- to carry the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Stars on Thursday night. He also assisted on Rick Nashs first-period goal that put New York in front 1-0. Lundqvist turned aside every Stars shot in the first and stopped 35 of 36 through 40 minutes to keep the Rangers in a 1-1 tie. "The way the game was played, I had to be aggressive," Lundqvist said. "Especially in the first, it felt like the puck was all over the place, and they were putting a lot of shots on net and rebounds. "It felt good to get a period like that, to really work hard." Chris Kreider and John Moore scored 37 seconds apart in the first 1:55 of the third period to give New York a 3-1 lead. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault appreciated the effort of his star goalie, especially his contribution to the offence. "Henrik made an unreal pass so that we had that quick breakout, that quick strike (by Nash)," Vigneault said. "After that, Henrik put on a display in the first period." The third-period goals took some pressure off of Lundqvist, who entered the game with a 7-9 record despite a 2.38 goals-against average. "We came out in the third, and just made up our mind we need this game," Lundqvist said. "That was a great feeling, to see we scored two quick ones there." Alex Chiasson brought Dallas back within a goal by scoring at 8:27 of the third. It just wasnt enough. "We cant be happy with the way (the first period) came out because it was 1-0," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "You have to give Lundqvist a lot of credit. "The one goal they scored came on a power play when we were dumping it up ice, and we get caught on a breakaway. You cant do that." Just 12 seconds after Chiassons goal, Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen stopped Nash on a penalty shot. Nash had scored New Yorks first goal at 6:27 of the first period. It was his first goal this season, in his second game back after missing 17 games because of a concussion. "I was hoping he thought I was going to do the same move that I scored on, and then bring it right back and tuck it in," Nash said. "He played it well." Lehtonen knew that Nash has several tricks in his scoring arsenal. "I needed to make that save against Nash to keep it a one-goal game," Lehtonen saiid.dddddddddddd"He has three or four different moves. He scored the first one on a breakaway when I thought he was going to do something else. "On the second one, I just had to be patient. My long legs helped me there. I was able to reach out and get that one." Dallas best chance to tie the game came with 3 minutes remaining. Jamie Benns shot from in front hit Lundqvist, who wrapped himself around the puck to prevent a rebound. "The biggest save of the night was Lundqvists on Benns play." Ruff said. When Dallas tied it 1-1 on Stephane Robidas goal at 8:46 of the second period, it was the Stars first power play goal in eight home games this season. They had been unsuccessful in their first 26 opportunities. The Rangers, who started a five-game road trip, had scored only two goals -- both on the power play -- in their three previous games when they went 1-2. Nashs go-ahead goal came on New Yorks first power play of the night. He skated in, put the puck on his forehand and pushed it in the net to the right of Lehtonen. "When youre struggling at scoring, youve got to look to your special teams for a boost, and tonight we got it," Nash said. Dallas had two first-period power plays, but failed to score even though they put six shots on Lundqvist. The Stars broke through with Robidas third goal. He took a cross-ice pass from Sergei Gonchar at the left point and blasted a slap shot that deflected off a defender and past Lundqvist. New York had an apparent goal disallowed about 5 minutes later. From a scramble in front, the puck went into the upper right corner of the net. On review, it was determined that Rangers centre Derek Brassard had batted the puck across the goal line. During the period, Lundqvist exceeded his previous season high of 31 saves. The Rangers came out quickly in the third and recorded the first four shots. On the third drive, Kreider broke the tie. Their next shot was the goal by Moore. Lundqvist then did the rest to protect the lead, "You can talk about him every single night, Nash said. "He was the best player on the ice and he was the difference." NOTES: Dallas went 1 for 5 on the power play. In their last 10 games overall, they are 3 for 35. ... Nash is one of three current players, with the Islanders Thomas Vanek and the Capitals Alex Ovechkin, who entered the season with eight consecutive 20-goal seasons. ... Lundqvists career high for saves is 50, in an overtime game on March 4, 2010, against Pittsburgh. He stopped 48 of 49 shots in regulation on April 6 at Carolina. ' ' '