Rockets down sputtering Cavaliers

Aaron Brooks scored 27 points and Trevor Ariza added 26 as the Houston Rockets shot down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 95-85 on Wednesday in a National Basketball Association contest.

James scored 27 points, but went only 8 for 21 from the field as Cleveland struggled to one of their worst offensive outings of the season.

No other Cleveland starter reached double figures, and the Cavs matched their season-low point total.

They outrebounded Houston 47-37, but turned the ball over 20 times and managed only 19 points in both the first and third quarters.

Shane Battier scored 14 points and played effective defense on James all night.

The Rockets have won six of their last seven games against the Cavaliers in Houston.

James missed five of his first six shots, part of the Cavaliers' 6-for-19 start. Battier also contributed on offense, draining a trio of three-pointers in the opening eight minutes.

Houston shot 52 per cent in the first quarter and led 33-19. Cleveland had been the league's highest-scoring team in the first quarter, averaging 29.8 points.

But Cleveland scored only 39 points in the first half, matching a season low, and trailed by 13. James went 3 for 11 from the field in the first half.

Cleveland didn't look much better in the third quarter, surrendering six turnovers in the first five minutes.

Houston missed eight of their first 11 shots after halftime, but still incrased their lead to 60-43. As Cleveland's frustration built, Mo Williams and Shaquille O'Neal earned technical fouls.

Cleveland were held to less than 101 points for the first time in six games, getting no closer than eight points in the last five minutes.