Houston Rockets Win Fourth Consecutive Game Over LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
HOUSTON — Fans inside the Toyota Center may have come to see future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James. But instead, they were treated to the Jalen Green show. Green scored a team-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, 5-of-6 from behind the arc, to lead the Houston Rockets to a 128-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following Alperen Şengün's reverse layup at the 11:33 mark of the first quarter, the Rockets began the game on an 8-0 run. The hot start led to the Rockets holding a 32-19 lead entering the second quarter. And by the 6:58 mark of the second period, another layup made by Sengun extended the Rockets' lead to 20.
Green scored 18 first-half points, which helped the Rockets take a 66-45 lead into halftime.
In addition to Green, four players scored in double-figures for Houston. Şengün added 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jabari Smith Jr. added a dozen and six rebounds. Jae'Sean Tate scored 14 points off the bench.
It was a quiet night for James, as he recorded 18 points (7-of-13 FG, 0-2 3PT) and six rebounds in the loss. The closest fans got to seeing James at his best came in the third quarter, where he scored nine points. Rui Hachimura led the Lakers in scoring with 24 points. D'Angelo Russell added 22 points in the loss.
Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Toyota Center.
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Tari Eason makes his season debut:
After missing the first six games due to a stress reaction in his left leg, second-year forward Tari Eason made his season debut against the Lakers. He played 14 minutes off the bench and recorded nine points and nine rebounds in the win.
Eason originally sustained the injury during the Rockets' preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 10.
Up Next:
The Rockets will continue their seven-game homestand Friday night for their first In-Season Tournament against the New Orleans Pelicans. They will then play their final game of their homestand Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off between the Rockets and Pelicans is slated for 7 p.m. CDT inside the Toyota Center.
