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Martin and Budinger lead Houston past Cavaliers

Feb 24, 2011 - 6:36 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger scored 30 points apiece, and Houston downed Cleveland, 124-119, at Quicken Loans Arena.

Courtney Lee and Luis Scola each chipped in 16 points for Houston, which was coming off Tuesday's 108-100 win in Detroit.

Antawn Jamison paced the Cavaliers with 26 points, while Ramon Sessions totaled 20 points and 12 assists in defeat.

The Cavs, who entered the All-Star break winning two of their final three games, including a surprising decision over the two-time defending champion Lakers, were done in by allowing 27 second-chance points to their 14.

"Defensively, it was a pretty good job initially," Jamison said. "But any time you give a team, I think, what, 22 extra possessions? A team like that, especially, who's pretty good offensively, you're really going to put yourself behind the eight ball."

Manny Harris contributed 21 points for the hosts and hit a three-pointer to open the fourth-quarter scoring, tying the game, 91-91.

The Rockets scored the next seven points, though, and Martin and Budinger took over down the stretch to keep Houston in front.

Budinger, on his way to a career-high point total, made a layup to put the Rockets up 111-107 with two minutes to go, and Martin followed with back-to- back buckets, the second a dunk coming off a Kyle Lowry steal.

Jamison tried keeping the Cavs close by hitting a layup with 51.8 seconds left, but Martin and Budinger made a combined 9-of-10 from the foul line the rest of the way to secure the win.

"Second half we finally started playing harder," said Houston head coach Rick Adelman. "We just did not defend in the first half at all."

Houston led 28-27 after the first, and both teams went on lengthy runs to offset one another in the second frame, which ended with Cleveland on top, 65-61.

Game Notes

Cavs guard Mo Williams did not play due to a sprained right ankle...Chuck Hayes pulled down 17 rebounds to go with 12 points for the Rockets, who won the battle on the glass, 57-37...Anthony Parker scored 19 points for Cleveland.