HOUSTON — In the finale of a season-long homestand of five games, the Rockets got a much-needed victory in Sunday’s 119-115 victory (box score) over the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston entered with losses in three of its previous four games.
By winning, the Rockets (23-12) stayed at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers (20-15) fell into a tie for the No. 5 spot.
With hot perimeter shooting and 16 made 3-pointers, Los Angeles fought back from its early 22-point deficit with a dominant third quarter. However, Houston pushed the lead back up early in the fourth and held on late.
Second-year forward Amen Thompson was outstanding in his first game as Houston’s new starter at power forward, where he is replacing Jabari Smith Jr. after a recent injury. Thompson had missed Houston’s previous two games due to an NBA suspension.
In his return, Thompson finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists while making 11-of-19 shots (57.9%). Jalen Green led the Rockets with a game-high 33 points, shooting 12-of-24 overall (50.0%) and 5-of-12 on 3-pointers (41.7%).
Those performances, along with an impressive 8 points and 9 rebounds off the bench from Steven Adams, helped Houston overcome a dominant night from the Lakers and their duo of future Hall of Famers.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks while making 10-of-18 shots (55.6%), and LeBron James added 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists on 8-of-16 shooting (50.0%) and 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%).
With Thompson and Adams in key roles, Houston out-rebounded Los Angeles by a commanding 49-39 margin. The Rockets lead the NBA in rebounding this season.
Jan. 5 Rockets-Lakers Complete Highlights
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What’s Next
With its Toyota Center homestand complete, Houston now heads out on a three-game road trip. Tuesday’s matchup at Washington (6-26) opens the trip and should be the most favorable for the Rockets, with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Central.
More: With Jabari Smith Jr. out, Amen Thompson takes over as Houston’s starting power forward
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Amen Thompson thrives as starter as Rockets edge LeBron James, Lakers
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