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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from win against the Houston Rockets

By Zain Danani

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 20: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets are seen during the game between the two teams on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 20: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets are seen during the game between the two teams on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 20: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets are seen during the game between the two teams on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 20: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets are seen during the game between the two teams on December 20, 2017 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped out of their three-game losing skid as they beat the Houston Rockets 122-116.

The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening. After officially closing the door on the Kobe Bryant era with his jersey retirement on Monday, the team now looked to find its new identity.

The Lakers headed into the matchup in desperate need of a win. The team had lost its last three games and held a dreadful record of 2-5 in the month of December. On the bright side, however, the team has seen significant growth in its young stars over the last month. Lonzo Ball has finally started to be confident in his play and Brandon Ingram is playing more aggressive than we have ever seen.

Contrary to L.A., the Rockets headed into the matchup looking to add onto their 14-game win streak. Houston has dominated the season as they led the Western Conference with a record of 25-4. Even more impressive, however, has been the team’s star duo. James Harden and Chris Paul have proved all the doubters wrong as they continue to win and are playing extremely efficient. Harden currently sits at a PER of 30.2 while Paul at 27.1 – the highest and third-highest of their respective careers.

The game was very close, but the Lakers persisted and came out on top. James Harden and Kyle Kuzma both put on historic performances. Harden scored 51 points while Kuzma set a new career-high 38 points.

The Lakers next game will be on Friday in Oakland when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Before we get to that game, however, let’s take a look at some takeaways from last night’s win.

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