Jeremy Lin put the Rockets up 15 at 64-49 with two free throws with 4:32 left in the third after being fouled hard by Lopez on a drive to the basket. The foul was initially ruled a flagrant but turned to a regular foul after the officials reviewed the play.
Lin was subbed out of the game shortly thereafter with nine points on 2 of 6 shooting and seven assists in 23 minutes.
Houston used a 9-2 run before the half to take a 48-41 lead at halftime capped by Parsons' dunk. The Rockets outscored the Hornets 22-10 in the third quarter to up the lead to 70-51. Martin led the Rockets with eight points in the quarter, including two three-pointers.