Recap: LA Lakers vs. Houston

Sports Network | November 16, 2009

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Aaron Brooks scored 10 of his 33 points during a big third-quarter run, lifting Houston to a 101-91 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

David Andersen added 19 points off the bench, while fellow reserve Carl Landry tacked on 15 points and 10 boards for the Rockets, who won the rematch in the battle between ex-Laker Trevor Ariza and ex-Rocket Ron Artest.

Ariza totaled nine points and eight rebounds for Houston, which suffered a 103-102 home overtime loss to the Lakers on November 4.

"It's a great game for us," said Rockets coach Rick Adelman. "We kept our composure and got back in it. The third quarter was terrific and the entire second half was terrific."

Artest led the way with 22 points for the Lakers, who were slowed by a poor shooting night for Kobe Bryant, who aggravated a strained right groin injury in the first quarter. The reigning Finals MVP shot 5-of-20 from the field during an 18-point performance, but Los Angeles lost its second straight for the first time all season. Bryant left for the locker room for treatment late in the fourth quarter.

Andrew Bynum added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a 105-79 loss at Denver Friday.

"None of our losses are understandable," said Artest. "We fought back and tried to play together. We'll figure it out."

Derek Fisher's three-pointer moved the Lakers to a 68-64 lead midway through the third quarter, but Brooks finished off a rare four-point play to tie the game. Ariza's steal from Bryant and subsequent dunk moved the Rockets ahead, Brooks then banged in a pair of shots from beyond the arc for a 76-68 lead.

"We really buckled down and did a good job sustaining when they went ahead in the third quarter," said Brooks. "I got hot, made some shots, we turned up the intensity and got the lead."

The teams were scoreless for nearly the final 2 1/2 minutes of the quarter, allowing the Rockets to carry an 80-73 advantage into the fourth and Houston built its lead to as many as 13 down the stretch.

Early on it looked as the Lakers would blow out the Rockets as the hosts opened the game with a 16-2 lead. The Rockets were able to cut the deficit to 29-23 after one quarter and the visitors trailed 54-52 at the half.

Chase Budinger had 11 points for the Rockets, who went 9-of-32 from beyond the arc. That included a 5-of-11 effort from Brooks...Shannon Brown scored 12 for the Lakers, who ended 38.1 percent from the field.