Rockets Hand Lakers Fourth Straight Loss, 109-99
HOUSTON (AP) -- Kevin Martin scored 22 points and Shane Battier added 11 of his 17 in the final three minutes to lift the Houston Rockets to a 109-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
The loss is the fourth in a row for the Lakers, who were led by Kobe Bryant's 27 points.
The Lakers led by three before Battier made consecutive 3-pointers to put Houston on top 100-97 with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining.
Bryant made a pair of free throws before Battier hit a jump shot that caused the Lakers' star to slump his shoulders and shake his head. Los Angeles was then called for a shot clock violation and Bryant missed a 3-pointer on the next trip down the court.
