EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP):

While Yao Ming won the showdown with fellow Chinese Olympian Yi Jianlian, the smallest player on the court stole the show from the seven-footers.

Yao had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Aaron Brooks tied his career-high with 22 points as the Houston Rockets won their season-high fourth straight game with a 114-91 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night, in a game that was televised live to China.

With Yao clogging the lane, the Rockets limited the Nets to a season-low 13 points in the first quarter in taking a 29-13 lead. Houston shot 58 per cent for the game, including 9-of-19 from three-point range. Keyon Dooling had 17 points to lead New Jersey.

At Memphis, Tennessee, Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and keyed a late rally to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a two-game losing streak with a 105-96 victory over the Grizzlies.

The Lakers trailed by 93-88 with 3:08 left, but closed the game on a 17-3 run, including 10 points from Bryant, to overtake the Grizzlies down the stretch. Bryant was 14-of-23 from the field, part of Los Angeles' 54 per cent shooting on the night.

Gasol's ratings

Pau Gasol had 15 points, seven rebounds and had six assists in his return to Memphis. Gasol played six-plus seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to Los Angeles in February. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 23 points.

At Orlando, Florida, Jameer Nelson scored 22 points going 9-for-9 from the field to help the Magic rout the Warriors 113-81.

Nelson had 13 points and four assists in the third period when the Magic blew open a close game with a 22-9 run on their way to their fifth straight win of the season. Rashard Lewis scored 21 points and Dwight Howard added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who held Golden State to just 31.9 per cent shooting for the game.