HOUSTON — In game five of the season’s longest homestand, a seven-game stretch, the resurgent Rockets won their fourth straight contest on Wednesday. Houston dominated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 128-94 (box score).
With the win, Houston (4-3) is above .500 for the first time since very early in the 2020-21 season — effectively three years. It was also another stout defensive game for Ime Udoka’s Rockets. Perhaps most impressively, however, the rout padded Houston’s average margin of victory during its winning streak to 21.5 points per game.
On offense, standout players included:
- Jalen Green: 28 points, 7 rebounds, plus-24 in 21 minutes; 11-of-15 shooting (73.3%), 5-of-6 on 3-pointers (83.3%)
- Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, plus-18 in 25 minutes; 8-of-10 shooting (80%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75%)
- Fred VanVleet: 9 points, 10 assists, plus-28 in 29 minutes
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 6 rebounds, plus-19 in 25 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
- Jae’Sean Tate: 14 points, plus-16 in 27 minutes; 6-of-10 shooting (60%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
Anthony Davis sat out with a leg injury. Co-star LeBron James finished with 18 points and 6 rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), and the Lakers (3-5) were outscored by 24 points over his 27 minutes.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as its extended run at Toyota Center continues, is Friday’s in-season tournament game versus New Orleans. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.