With help from the Rockets' dynamic duo of Yao Ming and Steve Francis, Houston have narrowed the gap in their first-round playoff series, cutting the Lakers' lead to 2-1 in their best of seven Western Conference series.

Yao Ming made a tough hook shot and Francis sank a pair of acrobatic lay-ups in the final two minutes as the Rockets held on for a 102-91 victory.

Yao Ming achieved his second double-double in playoffs, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

And Francis barely missed his second straight triple-double with 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

The battle-ready Rockets hope to level the series in game four in Houston on Sunday.

By People's Daily Online