NBA: Houston 102, LA Lakers 77

HOUSTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Juwan Howard produced his best game of the season so far with 23 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday night as Houston defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-77.

Dikembe Mutombo blocked five shots, moving him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar into second place all-time with 3,189.

Mutombo also claimed 19 rebounds as the Rockets beat the Lakers for the first time in five tries this season.

Houston finished off the third period with a 10-1 run that gave them a 72-58 lead.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson picked up two technical fouls with 15 seconds left in the third period and was ejected from the game.