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Houston Rockets' Luis Scola, left, of Argentina, pushes against Indiana Pacers defender Josh McRoberts during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 5, 2011, in Houston. Pat Sullivan, Associated Press
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Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) blocks a shot by Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 5, 2011, in Houston. Pat Sullivan, Associated Press
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Indiana Pacers' Tyler Hansbrough (50) scores two points in front of Houston Rockets' Kevin Martin (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 5, 2011, in Houston. Pat Sullivan, Associated Press

By Associated Press

HOUSTON — Kevin Martin scored 20 points, Chase Budinger and Kyle Lowry added 18 apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Indiana Pacers 112-95 Saturday night.

Luis Scola scored 16 and Chuck Hayes had 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who've won six of seven and are climbing into the Western Conference playoff picture. Houston began the night in 11th place in the West, three games behind Memphis in the race for the No. 8 spot in the postseason.

Houston never trailed in this one, taking advantage of the Pacers' poor shooting in the first half and then putting the game away with an 18-4 run to start the third quarter.

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Tyler Hansbrough scored 17, Danny Granger added 16 points and Roy Hibbert had 15 for the Pacers, who've dropped five of six. Indiana came into the game holding the No. 8 spot in the East, but only one game ahead of Charlotte.

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