RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

HOUSTON (AP) _ Kelvin Cato had a triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocked shots Friday night as Houston nearly coughed up a big early lead before pulling away for a 107-97 preseason victory over Cleveland.

Cato, who came to Houston as part of the deal that sent Scottie Pippen to Portland, was 7-of-10 from the floor. Houston (1-1) blocked 20 shots and outrebounded the Cavaliers 51-35.

The Cavaliers (1-1), who were led by Shawn Kemp's 17 points, trailed by as many as 21 in the first half before a 13-4 spurt to start the third quarter, including two baskets apiece from Kemp and Brevin Knight, trimmed Houston's lead to 61-57.

The Rockets made only five field goals in the third quarter, but it was rookie Steve Francis' 3-pointer at the end of the period that gave them an 83-76 advantage.

Cleveland crept close again, trailing 85-81 early in the final quarter before the Rockets went on a 18-7 run to put the game away.

Francis, the second overall pick in this year's draft who was traded from Vancouver to Houston as part of an 11-player, three-team deal in August, finished with 18 points, including 2-of-3 from long range.

The Rockets were without Charles Barkley, who has a sore elbow and did not dress.