Rockets 112, Pacers 95
Kevin Martin led six players in double figures with 20 points as the Houston Rockets crushed the visiting Indiana Pacers, 112-95, on Saturday.
Kyle Lowry added 18 points and six assists and Chase Budinger collected 18 points and six rebounds for the Rockets, who have won six of seven since the All-Star break to push back to .500 at 32-32.
Tyler Hansbrough contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Pacers (27-35), who have lost three in a row.
Houston had its offense in gear from the start, jumping out to a 20-10 lead in the first eight minutes and never trailing as Martin and Lowry combined for 15 points in the first quarter. The Rockets would extend the lead to 65-49 at the half before putting it away in the third quarter.
Budinger started the third with a quick jumper and then converted a layup after Lowry’s steal to spark a 16-4 run that pushed the lead to 28 points, 81-53, less than four minutes into the second half. Lowry and Budinger each hit 3-pointers during the spurt and Martin added five points as Houston pulled away.