Rockets drop 21 3s as James Harden trounces Lakers in LeBron James' absence

Los Angeles Lakers lost ir second consecutive game (both under 100) to Houston Rockets on Thursday (Friday IST). James Harden dropped 39 points in ir 113-97 victory as LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were both sidelined. Rockets dominated court with 21 three-pointers as Lakers once again failed to perform offensively. 

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NBA live score: Houston Rockets vs Lakers highlights

While Lakers have clinched top spot in Western Conference, y have lost two back-to-back games as key players remain sidelined. However, Rockets were also without Westbrook, who is suffering from a bruised right quriceps. Rockets' defence and Harden's shooting from beyond arc mand to hold off Lakers as y struggled without LeBron James. As compared to Rockets 21 3s, Lakers were only 2-for-19. Lakers scored first 10 points in final period to reduce le to 94-89 after Rockets h three turvers with less than eight minutes to go. However, Harden's layup started an 11-0 run for Rockets which widened ir vant to 105-89. 

While a bucket by Quinn Cook mand to get Lakers to within ten points in third quarter, Rockets scored back-to-back 7 points to stretch ir le to 91-73 before third quarter ended with a 5-0 run highlighted by a three-pointer from PJ Tucker. Lakers' Alex Caruso also sat out game with a sore neck, while Dwight Howard failed to score after missing Wednesday's (Thursday IST) game. Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma were only players who mand to score more than 10 points during Rockets vs Lakers matchup. 

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NBA live score: Rockets vs Lakers

• James Harden points: 29 PTS, 8 REB, 12 AST
• Kyle Kuzma points: 21 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
• Ben McLemore points: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST
• Anthony Davis points: 17 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST
• Danuel House Jr. points: 14 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST
• Jeff Green points: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST
• Austin Rivers: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST

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Rockets he coach Mike D'Antoni praised Harden after game, stating that "his commitment on defence is number one." In his post-game interview, Harden mitted that team is playing good but still need to improve defensively despite good pace. Meanwhile, Lakers he coach Frank Vogel was aware of team's poor play. "We did some things poorly at times, we did some things well at times," Vogel said. "You learn from tape and put it in game plan for next time you play se guys." Lakers will play Indiana Pacers on Saturday (Sunday IST), while Rockets will play Sacramento Kings on Sunday (Monday IST). 

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(Im source: AP)