Houston Rockets 113 – Los Angeles Lakers 99 (Recap)

Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden became the first Houston Rockets player since Tracy McGrady in January of 2006 to score 35 points in 3 straight games. Oh, and the Rockets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-99. The Rockets are still undefeated in 2014. (2-0)

Houston had another slow start offensively, and without Captain Kickstart, also known as Chandler Parsons, who did not play with a sore knee, the Rockets were slow to start. The Rockets trailed at halftime 57-52, with Pau Gasol and Nick Young both scoring 15.

Everything changed in the second half, with the Rockets offensive, and defensive aggression. James Harden turned to the reliable take the ball straight to the basket technique. James finished with 38 points, and 5 steals. Terrance Jones struggled with Gasol, but had no problem with Jordan Hill as he finished with 15 points, and 13 boards.

The Lakers of course went Hack-A-Howard with 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Howard was able to knock down 10 of his 24 free throw attempts and finish with 20 points. Howard also pulled down 13 rebounds, and had 4 steals.

Ronnie Brewer got the start for Chandler Parsons, playing a whopping 23 minutes. Unfortunately for Brewer he went scoreless on 0-2, but got 2 boards, and a steal.

Up next the 23-13 Rockets head to Atlanta on Friday to face the Hawks.