Nov

16

Brooks’ 33 Helps Rockets Send Lakers To Second Straight Loss 101-91

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

Aaron Brooks (#0)

I find it amazing that the Houston Rockets, with the loss of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, are able to play .500 ball, even at this early juncture of the NBA season. Yet here they were, prior to their Sunday game against the Los Angeles Lakers, at 5-4; you can safely assume they’re doing something right…right? For one night, they certainly were as Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 33 points, leading Houston to a 101-91 win over Los Angeles at Staples Center.

The first quarter was all Los Angeles early on as they went on an early 16-2 run, capped by a three-point play by Ron Artest; Houston would recover as they went on an 11-2 run, capped by a Brooks trey; the Lakers would subsequently take a timeout. The Rockets would chip their deficit down to six entering the second quarter at 29-23.  They would take their first lead of the game at 44-43, but the Lakers would retake the lead at 54-52 with 40 seconds left in the half as Andrew Bynum drained a jumper.

Trevor Ariza would help Houston retake the lead at 70-68 on a dunk; the Rockets would maintain a seven-point lead at 80-73 going into the final period. Things would slow down immensely in the final 12 minutes, although Ariza made a pair of free throws, giving Houston a 12-point lead with 9:33 left in the game; a Carl Landry jumper with 6:47 remaining would help Houston secure the victory.

Brooks led the Rockets with a career-high 33 points (including five 3-pointers), 6 rebounds and 4 assists while David Andersen came off the bench to score 19 with 6 rebounds; Landry added 15 with 10 rebounds and a block.

The Lakers were led by Ron Artest with 22 points (including 3 treys), 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals while Bynum added 21 with 11 rebounds, an assist and 5 blocks; Kobe Bryant chipped in 18 with a rebound, 3 assists and 3 steals. Houston (6-4) plays again on Tuesday when they host the Phoenix Suns while Los Angeles (7-3) remain home to host the Detroit Pistons – also on Tuesday.


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