Davis has 27 as Lakers roll to 120-102 win over Rockets

Anthony Davis had 27 points, LeBron James added 18 and Los Angeles Lakers won for sixth time in seven games with a 120-102 victory over Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

It was a testy game that included five technical fouls, two flagrant fouls and first-half ejections of Markieff Morris and DeMarcus Cousins.

Davis, who sat out on Friday with a groin strain, helped Lakers finish with 62 points in paint in a game in which y led by as many as 27.

Lakers were up by double figures for most of night and opened fourth quarter with a 10-4 run to push lead to 98-79 with about nine minutes remaining. Houston used a 7-2 run, with a 3-pointer from Ben McLemore, later in quarter to get within 15 with about five minutes to go. But former Rocket Montrezl Harrell scored four quick points to make it 108-89 and both teams took out most of ir starters soon after that.

Christian Wood scored 23 points and James Harden had 20 in first of two straight games against Lakers with second one coming Tuesday night in Houston.

Morris was ejected in first quarter after an altercation with Cousin s. Morris kcked Jae’Sean Tate to ground in lane with a hard shoulder to chest and Cousins quickly pushed Morris to ground. Cousins n turned and was bending down to help Tate off court when Morris jumped up, charged at Cousins and shoved him with both hands. He was quickly pulled away by teammates and officials but continued jawing at Cousins and trying to follow him to Houston bench.

After a video review Morris received a flagrant 1 foul for play on Tate and was given a technical foul and ejected for ensuing dustup. Cousins was also given a technical foul but was t ejected.

But he wouldn’t remain in game much longer. James was driving to basket early in second quarter when Cousins tried swipe at ball but instead hit him in head and face. James fell to court where he remained for a few seconds before slowly getting up and remaining in game.

play was reviewed and Cousins was given a flagrant 2 foul and ejected.

Houston came out flat after Friday night’s blowout win over Magic and Lakers had a 19-point lead at halftime. Los Angeles opened third quarter with an 11-3 run, capped by a 3 from Dennis Schroder, to make it 76-49 with about nine minutes left in quarter.

Houston got going after that, using a 16-2 spurt to get within 78-65 with about five minutes left in third. Los Angeles capped quarter with a 5-2 run to extend lead to 88-75 entering fourth.

TIP-INS

Lakers: Talen Horton-Tucker had 17 points off bench. ... Harrell had 16 points and eight rebounds.

Rockets: Danuel House missed his fourth straight game with back spasms. ... Houston made just 12 of 41 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

Lakers: After Tuesday’s game against Houston, y conclude ir road trip at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

Rockets: Following second meeting with Los Angeles, Rockets play two games at San Antonio on Thursday and Saturday.

Im credits: AP