Lakers Dominate Rockets 107-94 in Six-Game Victory Sweep!
Luka Doncic finishes with 36 points as the Lakers surge in the final minute and lean on a gritty defensive effort in a 100-92 victory over Houston.
Lakers star Luka Doncic, left, shoots over Houston's Jabari Smith Jr. during the first half of the Lakers' 100-92 win Monday. (David J.
Phillip / Associated Press) In their first meeting of the season on Christmas Day, Lakers coach JJ Redick said the Lakers were “punked” by the Houston Rockets and vowed not to let it happen again. On Monday, the Lakers displayed their toughness in a 100-92 win over the Rockets at Toyota Center. Even when they were faltering in the fourth quarter amid a one-for-15 shooting streak, the Lakers showed their resilience with a gritty defensive effort that kept them in the game.
The Lakers scored just 17 points in the fourth, but they held the Rockets to just 12 points en route to their sixth consecutive win. Read more: How Austin Reaves pulled off a perfect game-tying missed free throw in Lakers' win Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 36 points, six rebounds and four assists. LeBron James scored 18 points and Austin Reaves had 15 points.
But three big baskets from Deandre Ayton (seven points, 11 rebounds) and a big three-pointer by Marcus Smart (11 points) helped the Lakers open their six-game trip with a win. The Lakers threw double teams at Houston's Kevin Durant all game, limiting him to 18 points and forcing him into seven of the Rockets' 24 turnovers. Sitting third in the Western Conference, the Lakers (43-25) will take a 1½-game lead over the Rockets (41-26) into their rematch on Wednesday night.