Lebron leads Lakers to win over the Houston Rockets

The LA Lakers played the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night, and they did win, but not without a fight. Especially on defense, the Lakers were having a rough time. The Rockets shot 53.3% from the field and 39% from the three-point range. The Lakers looked like a completely different team from the one who held the Rockets to 85 points just days before.

The Lakers were missing key players on defense. Dwight Howard was out with a neck injury and Trevor Ariza is still nursing his ankle after surgery. The Rockets took full advantage, with Christian Wood and Jae'Sean Tate scoring a combined 46 points.

Fouls and questionable points deduction

The Lakers weren't helping their own case with several penalties. Early in the game, Frank Vogel, Kent Bazemore, and Carmelo Anthony all received a technical foul. They were also deducted two points in the fourth quarter, though that was a strange call by officials as they realized Kent Bazemore had made two free throws before the team was in the bonus.

Lebron leads Lakers to avoid loss

Fortunately for the Lakers, they were able to come out on top despite all that, beating the Rockets 119-117. Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Russel Westbrook led the offense. At the end of the third quarter, Westbrook and Davis helped bring the Lakers to an 18-10 run, cutting down the double-digit deficit they were facing before. Things were looking up with the Lakers up by eight in the final quarter, but rookie Jalen Green hit two three-pointers to bring Houston back up within a point of the Lakers. Ultimately, Lebron saved the day, bringing t it home with 14 points in the final quarter. He finished with a total of 30 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists.

Davis and Westbrook each finished the game with 27 points and Carmelo Anthony finished with 15 points, going 3-5 from the three-point range. Since they were able to squeeze out this win at home, the Lakers improve to 5-3 on the season.