On January 6th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Lakers challenge the Rockets on the road.
The Lakers' starting lineup for today's game was Reeves, Christie, Hachimura, James, and Davis.
The Rockets started with VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Amen, and Shen Jing.
This game was crucial for the Lakers as it would test their team. The Rockets were ranked second in the West, undoubtedly a strong team. If the Lakers could defeat the Rockets, it would indicate that their lineup had the potential to compete for the championship.
In the first quarter, the Rockets' Amen scored continuously after being suspended for two games. Upon his return, he was in scorching form with a strong offensive desire, suggesting that the days without playing had left him raring to go.
The Lakers also responded well, with Little scoring layups and three-pointers. Hachimura was also hot today, making two consecutive three-point shots with great determination.
The teams exchanged blows, with the score leading each other.
During the stalemate, the Rockets' Green began to show his prowess. In a single quarter, Green shot 8-for-7, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, scoring 18 points. His hot hand just wouldn't stop.
Amen defended LeBron today, causing Old James considerable discomfort. In the first quarter, he only attempted two shots, making one, not having much presence. Old James still needs to shoot more.
The Rockets went on wave after wave of scoring, successfully widening the gap.
At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers trailed the Rockets by 14 points with a score of 22-36.
In the second quarter, the Rockets continued to expand their lead, once pushing their advantage to 22 points.
The Lakers were truly stunned, facing a strong team like the Rockets who could run, jump, and grab. The Lakers simply couldn't keep up with the pace.
However, Little had a strong scoring ability, and AD began to regain his form. Coupled with the Rockets' drop in shooting percentage in this quarter, the Rockets managed to reduce the gap to around 14 points.
Towards the end of this quarter, the Rockets hit two consecutive three-pointers, further widening the gap.
At halftime, the Rockets led the Lakers by 18 points with a score of 67-49.
Jalen Green had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists; Amen had 15 points and 9 rebounds; Shen Jing had 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists; VanVleet had 9 points and 2 rebounds; Dillon had 5 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds; Adams had 4 points and 4 rebounds; Holiday had 4 points; and Tate had 3 points.
For the Lakers, Reeves had 12 points and 6 assists; Hachimura had 10 points; AD had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks; Christie had 7 points; James had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal; and Finney had 4 points and boards.
In the third quarter, the Lakers launched a 16-6 scoring spree, reducing the gap to single digits, bringing the game back into contention.
The Lakers' three-point shooting was on fire, with one three-pointer after another finding the net.
On the Rockets' side, VanVleet and Shen Jing's double act wasn't working anymore. Shen Jing continued to miss his outside three-pointers and couldn't defend anyone on the defensive end. Old James even used Shen Jing as a sight, repeatedly targeting him from outside, hitting every shot.
The Lakers' scoring waves came one after another, like a tidal wave ebbing and flowing.
The Rockets could only respond with some points from Green, but unfortunately, Green quickly picked up his fourth and fifth fouls.
At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets held a two-point lead over the Lakers with a score of 91-89.
In the fourth quarter, the Rockets unleashed an 8-0 scoring spree, bringing the gap back to ten points. This Rockets lineup played well, with Adams being very tough inside.
However, after replacing Shen Jing in the latter half of this quarter, the Lakers took the opportunity to score, reducing the gap to just two points. Shen Jing was really useless.
Unable to defend or shoot, he even allowed the opponent to score a 2+1 against him.
Amen completed an alley-oop dunk, VanVleet made a mid-range jumper, and Green hit a super long three-pointer, stabilizing the situation for the Rockets.
The Lakers continued to draw fouls and free throws, managing to stay close in the score.
AD hit a three-pointer, leaving a four-point difference, keeping the game suspenseful. Shen Jing missed a shot under the basket, while Amen drew an offensive foul on Old James, which was crucial. Dillon missed a mid-range jumper, and Old James scored a layup. Time was running out, so the Lakers employed a foul tactic. Shen Jing made one of two free throws, giving the Rockets a three-point lead, leaving the Lakers with a chance.
With seven seconds remaining, Christie inbounded the ball, and VanVleet directly stole it. Old James committed a foul, and VanVleet made one of two free throws, basically securing the win.
With five seconds left, the Lakers committed a screen foul.
In the end, the Rockets defeated the Lakers with a score of 119-115.
Throughout the game, the Rockets' Jalen Green scored 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Amen had 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists; VanVleet had 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists; Shen Jing had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists; Adams had 8 points and 9 rebounds; Whitmore had 8 points and 4 rebounds; Holiday had 7 points; Tate had 6 points and 2 assists; and Dillon had 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
For the Lakers, Davis scored 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 2 assists; James had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists; Reeves had 21 points and 10 assists; Christie had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists; Hachimura had 13 points; and Finney had 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
After the game ended, the Lakers players were dejected, with most of them leaving the court. Only Knect entered the field to embrace VanVleet in a gesture of respect. Green was interviewed by reporters on the sidelines, acknowledging that it was not easy for the Rockets to win today.