The Houston Rockets managed to even the NBA Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2 after overpowering the Los Angeles Lakers 99-87 in game four on Sunday.

Guard Aaron Brooks scored a career-best 34 points in the shock win as the Rockets played well without Chinese centre Yao Ming, who was forced to quit the remainder of the season after suffering a left foot injury.

Shane Battier had 23 points, including five three-pointers, and Luis Scola added 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 opened the game with a 22-7 run, and built a 29-point lead by the end of the third quarter. After that, the team never looked back.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2009)