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Russell Westbrook scored 24 points and Kendrick Nunn added 15 as
the Lakers won for the first time since their five-game winning
streak ended Jan. 9. Los Angeles has six wins in its past nine
games and is 8-8 since Anthony Davis has been sidelined due to a
stress reaction in his right foot.
The Lakers committed a franchise-low two turnovers.
James added nine assists and eight rebounds. He moved to 38,072
points for his career, 315 behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the
all-time NBA scoring lead.
Alperen Sengun had 33 points, 15 rebounds and six assists and
Jalen Green added 23 points for the Rockets, who saw their
season-worst losing streak extend to 11 games. Houston has lost
16 of its last 17 games.
Eric Gordon scored 19 points for the Rockets, who last won a
game on Dec. 26.
The Lakers led 37-35 after one quarter and went up 73-61 heading
into halftime after shooting 54.2 percent in the first half. Los
Angeles tied its highest scoring first half of the season and
then led 102-98 after three quarters.
A 13-4 burst to open the fourth quarter pushed the Lakers'
advantage to 13 points with 9:24 remaining. However, a 9-0 run
got Houston within 119-116 with 5:06 remaining after a dunk by
Kenyon Martin Jr.
The Rockets remained close, pulling within 133-131 on a layup by
Gordon with 1:11 left before James banked in a jumper for a
135-131 advantage with 50.1 seconds remaining. James then added
two free throws with 40.3 seconds left for a 137-131 lead.
Patrick Beverley scored 11 points for the Lakers after missing
the previous two games with a non-COVID illness.
Martin put up 17 points and Jabari Smith Jr. had 14 for the
Rockets.
Green and Jae'Sean Tate (seven points) both returned for the
Rockets after they were suspended for Houston's Sunday game
against the Los Angeles Clippers. The punishments were leaving
the bench area during an on-court scuffle Friday against the
Sacramento Kings.
--Field Level Media
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