Stars were shining bright: Lakers’ Big Three finish with 84 points in a tight win over Rockets

2021-11-03 05:21
Credit: USA TODAY Sports-Scanpix

LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook combined for a season-best 84 points Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers (5-3) rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit and survived a wild finish for a 119-117 (32-35, 32-35, 23-19, 32-28) victory over the visiting Houston Rockets (1-6).

The Lakers' third consecutive win was not at all like their 95-85 triumph over the Rockets in the opener of the two-game, same-site sequence on Sunday, a game in which the hosts never trailed over the final 45 minutes.

The rematch saw the Rockets, who tipped off on a four-game losing streak, led by as many as 11 points early in the third period before the Lakers chipped away, seized the advantage and then held on despite a pair of late 3-pointers by Houston's Jalen Green.

Player of the Game
LeBron  James
EFF
31
LeBron James
Points 30
Accuracy 13-21
Rebounds 4
Assists 10

Still down 97-92 with 10 minutes to play, the Lakers took the lead for good during a 12-3 burst that saw James contribute a dunk, three layups and a short jumper.

Houston was down 114-106 with 2:31 to go before Christian Wood buried a 3-pointer and Green added his pair, the last of which closed the gap to 118-117 with 8.8 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles' Malik Monk made just one of two free throws with 6.6 seconds left, giving the Rockets a chance to tie or win with a 3-pointer. However, Kevin Porter Jr. was off the mark on a potential game-winning 26-footer, allowing the Lakers to hold on.

James finished with game-highs of 30 points and 10 assists while Davis and Westbrook had 27 points apiece.

Davis and Westbrook each grabbed nine rebounds, and Westbrook added seven assists.

After scoring a team-high 23 points in the Sunday win, Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 15 off the bench for the Lakers, who totaled 26 points off 25 Houston turnovers.

Wood had a game-high 16 rebounds to go with a team-high 26 points for the Rockets, who lost despite shooting 52.7 percent.

Hitting five 3-pointers, Green chipped in with 24 points. Jae'Sean Tate had 20 for Houston, Kenyon Martin Jr. scored 14 and Porter finished with 11.

Lakers: LeBron James 30 (11/17 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 10 AST, 4 TO), Russell Westbrook 27 (10/17 2PT, 7/8 FT, 9 REB, 7 AST), Anthony Davis 27 (11/15 2PT, 5/8 FT, 9 REB, 3 BLK, 4 TO), Carmelo Anthony 15 (3/5 3PT), DeAndre Jordan 8 (4/5 2PT, 9 REB), Kent Bazemore 7.

Rockets: Christian Wood 26 (8/10 2PT, 3/9 3PT, 16 REB), Jalen Green 24 (4/5 2PT, 5/10 3PT, 5 AST, 7 TO), Jae'Sean Tate 20 (7/11 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 5 REB, 2 BLK), Kenyon Martin 14 (4/5 2PT, 2/3 3PT), Kevin Porter 11 (4/8 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 5 REB, 8 AST, 4 STL, 5 TO), D.J. Augustin 7.

LeBron James' performance

Rusell Westbrook's performance

Anthony Davis' performance

Full game highlights



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