HOUSTON – In retrospect, Kings coach Keith Smart could have gone back to his reserves earlier in the third quarter.

The bench players had allowed the Kings to overcome an early 10-point deficit and lead by eight points in the second quarter.

By the time Smart called on his reserves again in the third, they couldn't pull off a second rally as the Kings lost to the Houston Rockets 103-89 Friday night.

The Rockets, who trailed 52-50 at halftime, used a 10-2 run to start the third and never trailed again.

"I've got to make sure I have the right group in the game early knowing that maybe we're a little bit slow or lethargic to start the third quarter," Smart said.

"But we can't be that way – we're pros. We've got to be able to get ourselves ready in the third quarter. But I've got to do a better job of making sure the run doesn't last longer than it has."

In his fifth game as coach, Smart is still figuring out how much leeway to give his starters. Three of those games have come without starting guard Marcus Thornton and four without starting forward Chuck Hayes because of injuries.

Francisco Garcia, Donté Greene, Isaiah Thomas and Jason Thompson combined to score 42 points off the bench and shot 16 of 32. The Kings shot 35 of 80 (43.8 percent) overall.

"Most of the time when we're getting in the game, maybe the pace is a little slow, so we come in as energy guys," Greene said.

Tyreke Evans, with a game-high 27 points, was the only Kings starter to score in double figures.

"The bench has to keep being productive," Smart said. "We've got them playing very well right now, because on the road your bench really wins the game for you. Your best players win the game late for you, but your bench keeps you in the game when you're on the road."

The Kings (4-8) didn't have a chance to win late because of Rockets guard Kyle Lowry (25 points and nine assists) and center Samuel Dalembert.

Dalembert played for the Kings last season and thought he would re-sign. After talks stalled, Dalembert signed with Houston. As that news broke, the Kings announced they had pulled their offer to Dalembert.

Dalembert had 21 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots for Houston (4-7).

"My main goal was to try to control the paint," he said.

Dalembert did that as Kings center DeMarcus Cousins struggled while being ill. Cousins played just 18 minutes with four points (1 of 7 from the field) and four rebounds.

"Honestly, I don't know what I've got going on, but I can't stop coughing," Cousins said. "I'm trying to get over it, whatever it is, and be back for the next game (tonight)" against the Dallas Mavericks.

Evans, who outscored the rest of the starters by seven, said the bench's energy was key Friday. He said that will be important tonight at Dallas, which can be explosive.

"Those guys on the floor – Donté, Cisco and Isaiah – they came in and ran the floor, and that's what kept (the Rockets) on their heels," Evans said.

"They did a good job, but we've got to find a way to finish these third quarters this year."

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Follow The Bee's Jason Jones on Twitter @mr_jasonjones and read more about the team at www.sacbee.com/kings.

• Read more articles by Jason Jones