Dennis Schröder tripped the Los Angeles Lakers with the Houston Rockets. The German made a good comeback from an ankle injury, while LeBron James set up a triple-double but denied a possible game winner. The Rockets won 139-130 after overtime.
Houston Rockets (17-49) – Los Angeles Lakers (28-37) 139:130 OT (BOXSCORE)
When the game was over after 53 minutes of play, Russell Westbrook stood alone and was rooted to the field for a few seconds. The Lakers actually lost at the bottom of the Western Conference, who played themselves into a frenzy in overtime and made everything clear with a 10-0 run. No.2 pick Jalen Green scored 10 points in the five extra minutes, the rookie was the top scorer with 32 points (13/21 FG).
Dennis Schröder only saw this from the bench, his working day was over four minutes before the end of regular time. After a four-game break due to an ankle injury, the Braunschweiger came off the bench and made a good impression in 23 minutes. In particular, the interaction with Alperen Sengün (21, 15 rebounds) worked splendidlySchröder put on 12 counters (4/8 FG) and 6 assists.
The fact that Houston actually saved himself in overtime was more luck than brains. LeBron James had kept his colors in play with blocks against Sengün and Green in the last two minutes, a jumper from Russell Westbrook equalized. The guests then had the last attack and LeBron pulled to the basket, but then refused a fairly open reverse layup and preferred to put it on the wing to Carmelo Anthony. However, he was too surprised, had problems catching and missed the possible game winner with the siren.
LeBron James’ triple-double for Lakers not enough
It wasn’t James’ best game anyway, who diligently filled the shat sheet with 23 points (9/26 FG), 14 rebounds, 12 assists and just 4 blocks, but at the same time only scored in the ninth attempt from downtown when the game in the extension had already been decided. Among other things, the 37-year-old got it from Eric Gordon (15) in the early stages and for a moment didn’t even know where the ball was.
Westbrook acted much better, breaking the sound barrier of 23,000 points with 30 points (11/22) and 8 rebounds. In the final phase, however, the Guard had again some unfortunate actions included. A ray of hope for LA was at least the presentation of DJ Augustin (16, 6/9 FG), who was only recently engaged, and Malik Monk (20) also had good phases.
However, the fact that a throw rate of 51 percent was allowed at the same time was more than questionable. The Rockets created a series of open threes (17/40) and converted them so consistently that they stayed in the game. There was no double-digit lead until extra time, only then did the Texans pull away decisively. At Houston, the third rookie in Josh Christopher (21) did a good job, Kevin Porter Jr. (10, 8 rebounds, 10 assists) scratched the triple-double.
The Lakers have won just two of the past eleven games, but remain in ninth place in the west, as the pursuers from New Orleans also made a mistake. Despite the win, Houston still has the second-worst record in the NBA, only Orlando in the east is a tad weaker.