On January 6th, Beijing time, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 119-115 at home, refusing a 22-point comeback and maintaining their second place in the Western Conference. LeBron James had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Anthony Davis contributed 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The Rockets led by as many as 22 points, but the Lakers made a strong comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap before ultimately falling short against the Rockets. In the crucial moments, the Lakers made consecutive turnovers. Jalen Green scored a team-high 33 points for the Rockets. Amen Thompson returned from suspension and contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, setting a new season-high in points and breaking his career record in rebounds.
Statistical Highlights
Lakers: Anthony Davis with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks; LeBron James with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists; Austin Reaves with 21 points and 10 assists; Rui Hachimura with 13 points; Lonnie Walker IV with 14 points and 6 rebounds; Dorian Finney-Smith with 13 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
Rockets: Jalen Green with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Amen Thompson with 23 points and 16 rebounds; Alperen Sengun with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Fred VanVleet with 15 points; Dillon Brooks with 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists; Kenyon Martin Jr. with 8 points and 4 rebounds; Jaxson Hayes with 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Player of the Game
Jalen Green and Amen Thompson played outstandingly, helping the Rockets withstand the pressure and secure a victory over the Lakers at home.
Milestone
In the first quarter, Anthony Davis blocked Alperen Sengun, bringing his career block total to 1772, surpassing Rockets legend Elvin Hayes to rank 25th in NBA history.
Game Recap
In the first quarter, Amen, who had just returned from suspension, scored 6 consecutive points. Austin Reaves scored with a layup, and Rui Hachimura hit a three-pointer, followed by Anthony Davis scoring with a hook shot. Alperen Sengun scored under the basket, and both Reaves and Hachimura hit another three-pointer each. Jalen Green scored 5 consecutive points, and Amen dunked again. Fred VanVleet hit a three-pointer, and Jalen Green went on a scoring spree, netting 10 points in a row, including a play where he broke through Anthony Davis and drew a foul from LeBron James, completing a 2+1. Jalen Green hit another three-pointer, scoring a total of 18 points in the quarter. Tate's buzzer-beating three-pointer further extended the lead to 14 points. At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led the Lakers 36-22. Anthony Davis only scored 2 points in the first quarter, shooting 1 out of 6.
In the second quarter, Amen and Jaxson Hayes scored with put-backs, extending the lead to 19 points. LeBron James scored with a bank shot, and Austin Reaves hit a mid-range jumper, followed by Aaron Holiday making two consecutive shots. Fred VanVleet hit another three-pointer, and Lonnie Walker IV scored 7 straight points. Amen continuously broke through the paint, and Alperen Sengun scored with a mid-range shot. Reaves completed a 2+1, and Anthony Davis found his rhythm, scoring three consecutive baskets. Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet hit back-to-back three-pointers, keeping the Rockets' lead at 20 points. Reaves made two free throws, and at halftime, the Rockets led the Lakers 67-49.
In the first half, Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 12 points and 6 assists, while Rui Hachimura added 10 points. Neither LeBron James nor Anthony Davis scored in double digits, with James getting 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Davis contributing 8 points and 4 rebounds. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Amen Thompson had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun each scored 9 points. The Rockets dominated the rebounding battle, leading the Lakers 28-14 in rebounds in the first half.
In the third quarter, Jalen Green scored with a layup, followed by consecutive three-pointers from Reaves and James, and Jalen Green added another mid-range shot. James hit a long-range three-pointer and connected with Anthony Davis for an alley-oop dunk, leading the Lakers on a 21-6 run to reduce the deficit to 5 points. Amen completed an alley-oop dunk, and James and Jalen Green traded three-pointers. Tate also hit a three-pointer, once again extending the lead into double digits. Dorian Finney-Smith and Lonnie Walker IV hit three-pointers, and Anthony Davis scored consecutive free throws, leading the Lakers on a 9-0 run to close the gap to two points. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets led the Lakers 91-89.
In the fourth quarter, Aaron Holiday hit a three-pointer, Jaxson Hayes scored with a put-back, and Kenyon Martin Jr. scored 5 consecutive points, giving the Rockets a 10-0 run. Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura hit three-pointers to break the Lakers' scoring drought. Amen scored with a layup, and Anthony Davis added a put-back. Alperen Sengun scored with a hook shot, and Finney-Smith completed a 2+1, leaving the Lakers trailing by only two points. Amen scored with a put-back dunk, Fred VanVleet hit a mid-range shot, and Jalen Green hit a three-pointer, extending the Rockets' lead to 7 points. Anthony Davis hit a three-pointer, and LeBron James committed an offensive foul. James scored with a layup, and Alperen Sengun made one of two free throws, leaving the Lakers trailing by 3 points. Fred VanVleet stole the ball from Lonnie Walker IV. VanVleet made one of two free throws, and Anthony Davis committed another offensive foul. Ultimately, the Rockets defeated the Lakers.
Starting Lineups
Lakers: Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Anthony Davis
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun