Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Rockets withstood a furious rally from Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in a 95-93 victory on Tuesday night.

Bryant scored 45 points, 18 in the fourth quarter, in a comeback that fell just short.

Tracy McGrady scored 30 points; Yao Ming had 25 points and 12 rebounds; and the Rockets made Rick Adelman's debut as their coach a success.