Big Three fuels Los Angeles Lakers to tight win over Houston Rockets

LEBRON James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook combined for a season-best 84 points on Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit and survived a wild finish for a 119-117 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets.

The Lakers’ third consecutive win was not at all like their 95-85 triumph over the Rockets in the opener of the two-game, same-site sequence on Sunday, a game in which the hosts never trailed over the final 45 minutes.

The rematch saw the Rockets, who tipped off on a four-game losing streak, lead by as many as 11 points early in the third period before the Lakers chipped away, seized the advantage and then held on despite a pair of late 3-pointers by Houston’s Jalen Green.

Still down 97-92 with 10 minutes to play, the Lakers took the lead for good during a 12-3 burst that saw James contribute a dunk, three layups and a short jumper.

Houston was down 114-106 with 2:31 to go before Christian Wood buried a 3-pointer and Green added his pair, the last of which closed the gap to 118-117 with 8.8 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles’ Malik Monk made just one of two free throws with 6.6 seconds left, giving the Rockets a chance to tie or win with a 3-pointer. However, Kevin Porter, Jr. was off the mark on a potential game-winning 26-footer, allowing the Lakers to hold on. — Reuters