Final
Harden, Rockets use second-half charge to down Lakers
Jan 9, 2014 - 5:20 AM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden poured in 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting and spearheaded Houston's second-half surge to lead the Rockets past the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, 113-99, at Toyota Center.Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones each posted double-doubles, with Howard totaling 20 points and 13 rebounds and Jones adding 15 points and 13 boards in Houston's second straight victory.
The Lakers had three players score 20-plus points, but are still mired in a 1-9 slump. Nick Young netted 25 points off the bench, while Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks each had 21 in a losing effort. Gasol also grabbed 12 rebounds.
Los Angeles was done in by 18 turnovers, seven coming in a lopsided third quarter that essentially decided the outcome.
"We're just not taking care of the ball. We get slow. We get methodical. We got stuck in the mud in the second half, and we've got to do a better job," Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The Lakers hung around for 2 1/2 quarters, even leading by 11 at one point in the second and taking a 57-52 lead into halftime.
But Harden took over midway through the third, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:30 remaining to start a 17-2 run, and the Rockets led from there.
Harden finished with 17 points in the quarter, and even though Howard shot just 7-of-16 from the foul line against his former club in the fourth, the Rockets never let their lead dip below double digits.
"Everybody was being aggressive [in the second half]. I just kind of played back and tried to get everybody involved," said Harden.
Game Notes
Harden has scored at least 35 points in three straight games, the first Rockets player to accomplish the feat since Tracy McGrady in 2006. He tied his season high point total and added five steals ... The Rockets outscored the Lakers in the paint, 56-46, and had 10 more fastbreak points (27-17) ... Jeremy Lin chipped in with 14 points for Houston.
Jan 8 10:29 PM- LOS ANGELES: 72
HOUSTON: 85
End of 3rd
Jan 8 9:50 PM - LOS ANGELES: 57
HOUSTON: 52
Halftime
Jan 8 9:06 PM - LOS ANGELES: 28
HOUSTON: 24
End of 1st
Jan 8 8:35 PM - LOS ANGELES: 0
HOUSTON: 2
1st Quarter - 11:40
Jan 8 8:12 PM
Related News
- Lakers Reportedly Willing to Explore Adding Bronny James Feb 15
- Warriors Reportedly Attempted to Trade for LeBron James Feb 14
- Knicks Robbed By Late Call on Jalen Brunson Feb 13
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers game preview Dec 26
- Lakers show potential vs. Celtics, but work still to be done Dec 25
- Celtics handle Lakers despite Anthony Davis’ strong showing Dec 25
- Lakers vs. Celtics Preview and Game Thread: Rivalry renewed in Christmas tradition Dec 24
- Darvin Ham discusses starting lineup change after win vs. Thunder Dec 24
- Alperen Sengun’s career night lifts Rockets over Pelicans 106-104 Dec 24
- Players Grades: Lakers vs. Thunder Dec 24