Kings' curfew not popular

Though Bonzi Wells had a difficult time leaving the Sacramento Kings behind last season, there is a part of the Kings now that he seems happy to have left in Sacramento.

First-year coach Reggie Theus has instituted a midnight curfew for the night before road games, the only curfew of its kind in the NBA. Wells, who played for the Kings in 2005-06, does not think that will be a popular move with his former teammates.

"I know Reg, and Reggie is a great guy," Wells said. "This is his first NBA coaching job. Maybe he's just trying to send a message of how it's going to be. If I know Mike (Bibby) and Ron (Artest), it's not sitting too well with them. If might be a rift, or guys might just be a professional and roll with it. Time will tell."

McGrady, Head return

Rockets guard/forward Tracy McGrady and guard Luther Head returned to practice Friday after sitting out Thursday's preseason game with minor injuries. McGrady was out with a bruised thigh, Head with a sore right Achilles' tendon.

Guard Steve Francis did not practice Friday to rest some general soreness, while forward Steve Novak is out with the flu.

Turnovers irk Adelman

Though the Rockets took better care of the ball in their second game than in the first, coach Rick Adelman was still not happy with the team's turnovers in Thursday's preseason victory over Panathinaikos.

"I still think we're just way too casual with the ball," Adelman said. "We can't do that. It's OK if you get 24 assists, but if you get 21 turnovers, it doesn't work."

The Rockets had 28 turnovers Tuesday against the New Orleans Hornets.

"I think that's probably the biggest area we're going to concentrate on," Adelman said. "A lot of that is guys knowing their strengths and knowing what they should and shouldn't do.

"I think the effort has been great. This group has a really good attitude. Every day they come to work. There hasn't been a dropoff at all. That's really pleasing."