Harden, Jones lead Houston Rockets past Lakers again, 107-87
LOS ANGELES (AP) James Harden scored 25 points, and Dwight Howard added 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Houston Rockets' second victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in six days, 107-87 on Thursday night.
Terrence Jones had 16 points to help the Rockets avoid a winless three-game trip. They never trailed in their fifth straight win over the Lakers at Staples Center, Houston's longest road winning streak in the rivalry's history.
Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and dunked for the first time in his farewell season, but the Lakers followed up their fourth victory of the season with their 14th loss in 16 games.
Julius Randle added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who at least avoided another blowout loss to the Rockets after losing by 29 last week.
Houston has won eight of 12, and Howard has denied a report claiming he is discontented with the Rockets.
Coming off an 18-point win over Milwaukee that was their largest victory in two seasons, the Lakers trimmed Houston's lead to 81-76 early in the fourth. The Rockets answered with 11 consecutive points, and the Lakers went nearly six minutes without a field goal.
Harden scored 17 points in the first half for the Rockets, who led by 16 points in the opening minutes. Jones added 13 points in the third quarter, and Howard scored 10 in the fourth while Los Angeles intentionally fouled him.
KOBE'S DUNK
The 37-year-old Bryant hadn't dunked in the Lakers' first 25 games, and Staples Center roared when he drove the lane and threw down on Clint Capela in the third quarter. Bryant had dunked just eight times in 63 games over the past three seasons since his 2012-13 campaign ended early due to a torn Achilles tendon.
He got the crowd standing again with an under-the-hoop layup later in the quarter. Bryant scored 10 points in the third.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Howard got his usual chorus of boos whenever he touched the ball at Staples Center. Even Clippers fans boo Howard, who famously spurned the Lakers in 2013 free agency, leaving millions on the table after one season in Los Angeles.
Lakers: Randle hit the first 3-pointer of his NBA career in the second quarter, beating the shot clock. The 6-foot-9 forward was 0 for 7 from distance this season, but plans to add the shot to his regular repertoire. ... Rookie D'Angelo Russell got so excited about Bryant's dunk that he got a technical foul for leaving the bench area while running along the far baseline. The No. 2 overall pick finished a quiet game with two points on 1-for-9 shooting and seven assists in 26 minutes.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Host Clippers on Saturday.
Lakers: At Thunder on Saturday.
