Houston rebounds from a tough stretch, dominating the Lakers with elite defense and relentless offensive execution. They found their stride.
The Rockets’ frustrating six-game road trip finally came to an end on Christmas Day in when Houston absolutely steamrolled the Lakers 119-96. The other games weren’t nearly as pretty as this Los Angeles matchup. Houston lost four of six to some of the worst teams in the league, including three devastating overtime losses in Denver, New Orleans, and Sacramento.
Just as the league began to doubt the Rockets’ contendership, they locked in on Thursday, and won big against a true worthy Western opponent- something many didn’t see coming. Houston led the entire game, most of which by ten or more on the board.
The Lakers couldn’t contain them as the Rockets did what the Rockets we remember do: controlled the boards, played unselfish ball, and played immaculate defense that kept Lebron James to just 18 points all night- a truly rare occasion.
Houston came out hot, and although Kevin Durant started out going 0-for-4, that changed quickly- all starting Rockets scored within the first six minutes of the game and led by a dozen, later extending that lead to up to 14 points. The Lakers went just 2-for-7 from deep, with no help from superstar Luka Dončić, who didn’t even attempt a bucket for the first eight minutes. The first closed at 37-25 Houston.
While the Lakers’ defense did start to tighten in the second, and came semi-close to catching up, outscoring the Rockets 28-26. However, they never did close the gap. Houston was destroying Los Angeles on the glass, allowing them a single offensive rebound. Durant couldn’t miss, while Lebron put up just four points.
If it weren’t for Dončić taking control, that first half deficit would’ve been a lot more than ten. Though, he wasn’t too much help- he turned the ball over five times before halftime. He currently leads the league in turnovers, and that was apparent on Thursday.
By the break, Durant had gone 6-for-6, and Thompson had added another 16, including a highlight-reel alley-oop assisted by a clean lob from, you guessed it, Alperen Şengün. Already, it looked like the Lakers weren’t even trying. The Rockets had total control of the tempo, found their spots, and dominated the perimeter, going an elite 5-for-10 from deep.
Houston continued to crash the glass in the second half, outrebounding Los Angeles 26-10, who only nabbed four under their own goal. The Rockets were relentless at the rim, and the Lakers suffered three blocks in the third quarter alone. Throughout those last 24 minutes, Los Angeles tacked on eight more turnovers to the stat sheet.
Halfway through the third frame, it was clear the game was over long before the buzzer. Not because the Rockets’ 23-point lead was insurmountable. A gap is almost never unclosable in the NBA between two contenders. But the Lakers were tired and struggling without their starting guard Austin Reaves, who never returned from the locker room after re-aggravating his recent calf injury.
Dončić continued to carry the Lakers’ offense, scoring nearly half of their made goals, while the Rockets distributed the effort in true Rockets fashion.
By the final quarter, it was time for the Lakers to start pulling out stars and start letting the bench practice. It seemed Los Angeles had already conceded to breaking their four-game winning streak. The Rockets finished strong, hopefully putting an end to their December slip.
Houston will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Saturday night- Cleveland currently holds a quite average record for the season, but, nevertheless, it will be yet another test to see if those Houston road losses were a few flukes, or a concerning emerging pattern.
Houston Rockets: 18-10
Los Angeles Lakers: 19-10