Three Takeaways from Houston Rockets vs Lakers

The Houston Rockets ended their two-game losing streak with a 107-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday night in the Staples Center. Like most games against the Lakers this season, it was an easy win for the Rockets. However, more fun and entertaining to watch James Harden have a little scoring duel with the great Kobe Bryant.

Fans even got a chance to see the old Dwight Howard who had a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Overall, it was a good win for the Rockets, and now here are three takeaways from last night’s game.

Terrence  Jones the Sixth Man

Terrence Jones as by far the best player off the bench for the Rockets Thursday night. Especially in the second half. T-Jones kept the Rockets in the lead during the third quarter when the Lakers tried to make a late game push.

In just 21 minutes, Jones scored 16 points with 13 coming in the third. T-Jones also shot his second highest percentage from the field at 71.4 percent. Terrence Jones did not have an astonishing game, but did enough as he carried the team after James Harden struggled to score the ball in the second half. If it was not for Jones, the Lakers would have taken more control of the game, and possibly came away with the win.

The Dwight Howard Situation

When he missed three of his first four layups, it was clear that Howard played this game with a lot on his mind last night. However, like Reggie Miller said in last night’s broadcast, the rumors surrounding Howard this season will only become a distraction to the team moving forward. This was the first game for Howard and the Rockets since trade rumors and speculations about his happiness in Houston started.

From the early moments of the first quarter, it was easy to tell that the Rockets tried to get Howard more involved in the offense. Although he recorded his eighth double-double of the season, it would have been nice to see Howard score more than 16 points against the Lakers. Why? Because there isn’t one player in LA who can stop Howard in the post.

Is Kobe Bryant really ready to retire?

So this is what happened https://t.co/D4O5jTMZ2O

— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) December 18, 2015

Although I hate to see the Lakers at 4-22, it’s been a pleasure to watch Kobe Bryant play in his final season in the league. Despite his horrible start where he shot below 40 percent from the field, Bryant has shown flashes of the Black Mamba over the past week.

This game Bryant scored his seventh 20 points or more game with 22 on 56.3 percent shooting. However, his most memorable quarter of the game was in the third where he scored 10 points as the Lakers tried to make a late game push.

Dwight Howard reacts to Kobe's dunk. pic.twitter.com/x6FN3AFWPT

— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) December 18, 2015

The most surprising play of the game came late in that same quarter when Bryant drove down the lane, and put Rockets’ forward Clint Capela on what could be the final poster of his career. Even Dwight Howard was all smiles after that play.

Overall it was an awesome game from Kobe last night. Regardless of your opinion of Bryant, fans should appreciate his greatness one last season.

Next: Sideline Chirps Ed. 3

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