Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Kevin Martin scored a season-high 40 points to power the Houston Rockets to a 110-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center.
Luis Scola finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Chase Budinger provided 16 points off the bench for the Rockets, who rebounded from Friday’s loss at Milwaukee.
Martin made 12 of his 19 shots from the field, in addition to 13-of-14 from the foul line.
Antawn Jamison’s season-high 24 points led Cleveland, which dropped its seventh consecutive game.
Martin exploded for 22 points in the first quarter, making 8-of-10 shots and leading Houston to a 37-29 advantage. Two minutes into the second quarter, Budinger drilled a three to expand the Rockets' lead to 42-32, but they couldn't pull away, and carried a 66-58 lead into the break. Martin scored 32 points in the first two quarters, but defense ultimately allowed Houston to come away with a double-digit win. The Rockets limited Cleveland to 37 points in the second half on 15-of-40 shooting. Houston's offense also dropped off, but the Rockets ended the third quarter with a 10-0 run to take control. Martin's layup with 30.2 seconds remaining ended the burst, giving Houston a 92-75 lead as the game progressed to the fourth. The Rockets led by double digits the rest of the way. Game Notes Houston held a 48-33 rebounding advantage...Shane Battier scored 16 points for the Rockets...Mo Williams finished with 18 points and nine assists for the Cavaliers.