HOUSTON — Luka Doncic scored 36 factors to steer the Los Angeles Lakers to a 100-92 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday evening within the opener of a two-game collection between groups combating for Western Convention playoff place.
Los Angeles moved 1 1/2 video games forward of Houston for third within the West standings. There have been 13 lead adjustments in a recreation that had a playoff environment, however the Lakers finally received their sixth straight.
LeBron James discovered Marcus Good for a nook 3-pointer that put Los Angeles up 94-90 with 2 minutes remaining. James completed with 18 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Doncic hit back-to-back 3-pointers within the fading minutes of the third quarter to offer the Lakers an 83-80 lead after trailing 57-51 at halftime. Doncic was 4 for 12 on 3s within the recreation and wishes 11 extra to match D’Angelo Russell’s franchise file of 226 in a season.
Doncic had his sixth straight recreation with 30 or extra factors however fell simply in need of his twelfth 40-point recreation this season. He went 14 for 27 from the sphere.
Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 factors. Amen Thompson had 19 and Kevin Durant added 18 for the Rockets, who dedicated 24 turnovers in contrast with simply 12 for Los Angeles.
Houston was with out Alperen Sengun, who was coping with decrease again ache. Sengun is averaging 20.2 factors, second solely to Durant for the Rockets.
The Rockets took the primary assembly between the 2 groups this season, 119-96, in Los Angeles on Dec. 25.
The groups meet once more in Houston on Wednesday.
