New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Rockets- Game 35

New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Rockets- Game 35

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (17-18)  |  Houston Rockets (10-25)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their 5 game losing streak with a 132-123 road win against the Houston Rockets.

 

The game started close as the Rockets kept pace throughout the opening part of the first quarter. Christian Wood scored eight points in the first five minutes to keep Houston within reach. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony sank two threes in the back half of the quarter while Russell Westbrook made a couple of late jumpers.

Houston stayed vigilant throughout the early parts of this game as they erased an early eight-point deficit. Armoni Brooks and Josh Christopher kept the Rockets well in this game and even led the team into taking a 35-34 lead into the second quarter after the first buzzer.

The teams stayed in close range with one another as the second quarter rolled on. Eric Gordon and Westbrook traded threes to open the quarter, but the game remained hair-raising close otherwise. The Lakers went on a run late in the last two minutes before halftime as LeBron James sparked a 6-0 run that lasted 37 seconds. The lead ballooned to eight points as the first half drew to a close.

 

 Los Angeles entered halftime carrying a 67-89 lead over the Rockets.

 

Quarter three opened up quickly for the Lakers as they would maintain their lead through the first three minutes. Kevin Porter Jr. hit a three that closed the gap to five and was followed by Wood, cutting the lead to three after a nearly two-minute scoreless stretch.

David Nwaba gave Houston their first lead since the second quarter, with 4:03 remaining in the third thanks to a layup in the paint. In the quarter’s final minute, with the score tied at 92, Stanley Johnson and Westbrook scored five straight Laker points to keep the team ahead by five as the fourth quarter was set to begin.

Los Angeles continued their scoring run into the fourth quarter, capped off by a Darren Collison jumper that put them up by 11 in the opening minute. However, Jalen Green fought back for Houston as two straight threes cut the lead right back to five points. Nearly halfway through the quarter, Green made another three that made it a one-point game until a loose ball foul gave Nwaba the chance to tie the game at 111 with a free throw.

The teams matched each other score-for-score as each time the Rockets tied the game, the Lakers answered with a field goal. In the late minutes, the Lakers caught a head of steam as Anthony drained a three to make it a four-point game, while James added two free throws and a dunk to increase the lead to eight. Eventually, with efficient free-throw shooting on intentional fouls and getting stops on the other end, the Lakers pulled out to defeat the Rockets 132-123 and end their five-game losing skid.

James led all scorers with 32 points while he and Westbrook each notched triple-doubles on the night. James ended with 32-11-11, while Westbrook finished with 24-12-10.

 

The Lakers will make their way to Memphis for the second game of their back-to-back road trip to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. The game will begin at 5:00 and can be seen on Spectrum SportsNet.

Lakers vs Rockets                   Lakers vs Rockets                   Lakers vs Rockets                   Lakers vs Rockets                   Lakers vs Rockets                   Lakers vs Rockets                  

 

– Matt Dobbs – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Matt on Twitter @RecordBowlerFSM

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube