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.
