NEW ORLEANS, March 19 (UPI) -- Bonzi Wells produced 20 of his season-best 25 points in the final period Wednesday, boosting New Orleans past the deflated Houston Rockets 90-69.
After having put together the second-longest winning streak in NBA history with 22 consecutive victories, the Rockets lost for the second time in as many nights.
Houston collapsed in the fourth period after seeing the streak broken by Boston. The Rockets saw New Orleans sail past them into a share of the lead in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston is a half game back.
David West, who had missed New Orleans' previous two games with a sprained ankle, scored 23 points and had 11 rebounds. Chris Paul added 21 for the Hornets, who won for the fourth time in five games
Tracy McGrady led Houston with 15 points while making only six of 21 shots from the field.
The game was tied going into the fourth period, but New Orleans scored the first seven points of the period to begin pulling away.
