Rockets come-from-behind and beat Lakers, 107-105

Posted: December 4, 2012 -- 11:13pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) – The Houston Rockets pulled off an improbable come-from-behind 107-105 victory Tuesday night over the Kobes, er, the Los Angeles Lakers, in front of a sold-out crowd.

How improbable?

James Harden made 3 of 19 field goals. Chandler Parsons shot 5 for 16 (1 for 7 on threes). Jeremy Lin was 2 for 8 from the floor.

Toney Douglas led the Rockets with 22 points.

Yes, Toney Douglas.

Greg Smith scored 21 points.

Yes, Greg Smith.

Douglas and Smith, along, with Carlos Delfino led an awesome effort by the bench. Delfino added 15 points as the Rockets' reserves scored 59 points on 21 for 45 shooting from the floor.

Toney Douglas said, "The second group, we had a rhythm out there and coach kept us on the floor. I feel like our bench is going to be key for us down the stretch. The coaches and all the teammates have to believe in the starters and the bench if we want to get to our goal, the playoffs. I think that's going to be real key."

The Lakers led the Rockets 30-22 at the end of the first quarter. Kobe Bryant scored 12 in the opening quarter; and, it seemed as if Bryant was well on his way to scoring the 52 points he needs to reach 30,000 points in his stellar NBA career.

Toney Douglas led the Rockets with seven points in the first period. Douglas scored seven more points in the second period; but, the Rockets continued struggling to shoot from the floor as they made only 9 of 28 field goals in the quarter.

Despite the Lakers shooting 50% (12 for 24) in the second quarter and 23 for 46 in the first half, the Rockets only trailed the Lakers 58-45 at halftime.

The Rockets (9-8) shooting improved a bit in the 3rd quarter with 11 for 26; and, though they fell behind by 16 points in the third, the Rockets managed to hang out as the Lakers simply could not put the Rockets away.

The Rockets trailed by ten points (83-73) heading to the fourth period.

When former Rockets' big man Jordan Hill converted a three-point play, the Rockets trailed 90-77 with 9:39 and signs did not point to a Rockets' victory. However, the Rockets hung around and slowly began walking down the comeback trail.

Greg Smith made a jump hook. Carlos Delfino nailed a jumper. After Hill added a reverse dunk, Douglas scored four straight points to pull the Rockets within seven (92-85).

The Lakers turned the ball over two straight possessions; and, Greg Smith scored a three-point play and the Rockets' fans and players began to believe a win was within reach.

Kobe Bryant scored six points; and, the Lakers (8-10) owned a six point lead (97-91) before Smith sank two free throws.

Then, with 3:18 on the clock, Hack-A-Howard began. The Rockets fouled Dwight Howard five times over the next 68 seconds. Howard attempted 10 foul shots; but, he only made five.

While Howard clanged free throws, Toney Douglas swished a three-point shot to give the Rockets a 100-99 lead. Howard made split two more free throws before finally sinking two free throws in his final trip at the line to give the Lakers a 102-100 lead with 2:09 remaining in the game.

Greg Smith tied the game with a lefty-layup. Kobe Bryant missed a long jump shot. Harden got the rebound and drew a foul as he raced the ball up the court. Harden sank both free throws and the Rockets led 104-102 with 59.9 seconds on the clock.

Bryant missed a tough shot; and, Patrick Patterson grabbed the rebound. With 35.9 seconds remaining on the clock, Douglas missed a 20-foot shot; but, Harden grabbed a huge offensive rebound. Greg Smith was fouled and sank both free throws for 106-102 Rockets' lead with just 15.7 seconds on the clock.

Bryant swished a 3 with 13.3 seconds left. The Lakers fouled Douglas with 8.8 seconds left. Douglas made the first free throw; but, missed the second.

The Lakers rebounded the miss and called timeout. Everyone knew Kobe Bryant would get the ball after the timeout. Bryant launched a three-point shot and missed. Metta World Peace snared the rebound; but, his put back attempt missed and the Rockets escaped with the two point victory.

Kobe Bryant, "We let this game get away. We just have to play a little better.

"Houston did a good job; and, they spaced the floor very well and moved the ball very well. They made some big shots."

Bryant scored a game-high 39 points; but, he attempted 31 shots (made 14) to get those points. Dwight Howard added 16 points and 12 rebounds (4 for 9 field goals, 8 for 16 free throws).

Greg Smith said, "We said (at halftime) 'go hard or go home.' We were down by 15 or 17 and he (Coach Sampson) said to go out there and play hard and come back to try to win this game; and, we just didn't give up. We are fighters. I told everybody to go out there and play hard.

"We are not pretenders. I'm going to go out there and do my best. We went out there and just got stops and got the win."

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