HOUSTON, (Reuters) – The Houston Rockets stunned the  top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, winning 99-87 without big man Yao  Ming, to level their NBA Western Conference semi-final series at  2-2 yesterday.

Guard Aaron Brooks scored a career-best 34 points in the  shock win as the Rockets played well without Yao, who broke his  left foot in Friday’s loss.

Shane Battier added 23 points, including five  three-pointers, and Luis Scola had 14 rebounds and 11 points.

Pau Gasol scored 30 points for the Lakers, who host Game  Five on Tuesday, but Kobe Bryant had only 15, making just seven  of 17 shots.

Houston scored the game’s first nine points and built a  29-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Los Angeles threw a 33-point fourth-quarter at Houston but  could not overhaul the Rockets.