Rockets' 14-game win streak ends with loss to Lakers

Posted: December 20, 2017 -- 11:32 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets knew the winning streak would eventually end. Wednesday night, after 14 consecutive wins, the streak ended -- despite James Harden's 51 points -- as the Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 122-116.

"I thought we'd never lose. I can't believe we lost. I guess it happens," Mike D'Antoni joked after the game.

All good things come to an end.

The Lakers made three consecutive three-point shots to jump to a 9-0 lead to start the game. James Harden knocked down a fade away jumper to end the Rockets' scoreless drought. But, the Lakers' quick start was an indicator the Rockets would have to fight an uphill in the game.

"I thought they (the Lakers) played great," D'Antoni added. "They were hitting their threes. They come in like 30th in the league in threes; and, all of a sudden, they hit six, eight, or something like that. So, give them their due. They played well; and, they beat us."

The Rockets trailed 16-14 before Lakers' rookie forward Kyle Kuzma scored 11 points during a 13-6 burst to increase the Lakers' lead to 29-20. The Lakers finished the quarter with an 8-2 burst to lead 37-22 at the end of the first quarter.

Kuzma scored 16 points in the first quarter on 6 for 6 field goal shooting including 4 for 4 three-point shots.

After trailing 48-26, Harden went to work in the second quarter with a sensation 24 point explosion on perfect shooting: 8 for 8 field goals (2 for 2 threes) and 6 for 6 free throws.

Harden scored 24 points in the second quarter. The Lakers scored 26.

Houston outscored the Lakers 37-26 in the second quarter. The Rockets trailed 63-59 at halftime.

"No matter who you're playing, you can't get down 22, whether you're at home or on the road," Harden said after the game. "We got down. We fought back. Cut it to four or five at halftime; and, took the lead and gave it up. They (the Lakers) went on a run and made some tough shots. We tried to fight back at the end of the game; but, it was a little too late."

The third quarter was close the entire 12 minutes: two ties and no lead larger than 5 points. The 5 point lead occurred in the final 5 seconds when Corey Brewer made 2 free throws to give the Lakers a 94-89 lead after three quarters.

Before the Rockets inbounded the ball to begin the fourth quarter, Rockets guard Chris Paul did a few lateral side steps. One minute into the quarter, Paul fouled Brewer and Paul went straight to the bench. After a few short moments, Paul walked back to the locker room.

After the game, D'Antoni said Paul had a strained left adductor (muscle). An abductor muscle strain is an acute injury to the groin muscles on the medial aspect (inside) of the thigh... Strains can be graded I-III based upon their severity.

The Lakers led 97-89 with 9:57 on the clock in the fourth quarter. James Harden went into facilitator mode and dished to Eric Gordon twice for three-point baskets and Trevor Ariza for one three-point basket to pull the Rockets within 100-98 with 8:05 remaining in the game.

After a Lakers' turnover, Ariza made two free throws to tie the game at 100 with 7:50 on the clock.

Brewer scored a driving lay-up to put the Lakers ahead. The layup began a 10-0 Lakers' run as the Rockets went scoreless for 3:39.

Harden went 4 for 5 from the foul line before Brewer rattled in a three-point basket in front of the Rockets' bench (and did a shimmy) for a 113-104 Lakers lead with 3:16 remaining in the ball game.

The Rockets' deficit grew to 12 (118-106) with 1:43 remaining. Harden converted his second 4-point play of the game then Ariza stole the ball from Brandon Ingram and dished to Harden for a layup to slice the deficit to six (118-112) with 54 seconds left in the game.

The Rockets never got closer than six points in the closing seconds.

The Rockets lost despite making 17 three-point shots in the game which is Houston's first loss of the season after making 15 plus threes in a game (19-1). Tonight's loss is also the Rockets first loss of the season when shooting 40.0% or better from three-point range (8-1).

The Lakers made 15 threes (35 attempts, 42.9%) tonight. Rockets' opponents have hit 15 plus threes in three of the past seven games after doing so once prior this season (Golden State Warriors in the opener). Four of the Rockets five losses have come when the opponent shot 40.0% or better from three-point range.

Clint Capela did not play tonight due to his left heel contusion. Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute continues to miss games due to his dislocated right shoulder. With Chris Paul's abductor strain, the Rockets are beginning to run out of healthy bodies in their core 9-man rotation.

Harden's 51 points tonight ties for the third-highest point total of his career and is his second 50 point game this season. Tonight's loss is Houston's first loss when Harden scores 50 or more points (6-1). Harden has scored 11,781 points as a Rocket which moves him past Elvin Hayes (11,762) for the fourth-most points in Rockets' franchise history.

The Rockets wrap up the 7-game homestand this Friday, December 22, versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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