Rockets overpower Lakers for fifth straight win

Houston - The Houston Rockets surged past the Los Angeles Lakers in a 125-112 victory at the Toyota Center here.

The Lakers built a 14-point lead in the first quarter Tuesday night but the Rockets used a pair of runs in the third quarter to build a big lead, reports Xinhua.

James Harden scored 31 points and Chandler Parsons 20 to help the Rockets to pick up their fifth straight win.

Metta World Peace scored 24 points for the short-handed Lakers, who were playing without their three main players Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill.

Kobe Bryant added 20 and Steve Nash had 16 for the Lakers.