The Houston Rockets outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers in a double-digit win, 117-96, on Thursday night, Christmas.
Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and never trailed despite Luka Doncic’s 25-point explosion.
Houston superstar Kevin Durant contributed 25 points and nine assists, ending a two-game skid and improving to 7-7 on the road.
On the other hand, LeBron James added 18 points for the Lakers, who fell to 25-27 and 52nd overall in their 27th consecutive Christmas appearance in a tradition that started in 1949.
Doncic and James struggled as they combined to shoot 4 of 11 from three-point range. They also combined for nine of the Lakers’ 16 turnovers.
The 6-foot-1 guard returned after missing a loss at Phoenix after injuring his left leg in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last weekend.
Meanwhile, James and Durant faced off in the highest-scoring game in NBA history, with no two opponents ever starting a game with more combined career points.
Houston big man Alperen Sengun with 12 rebounds to help the Rockets dominate the boards, 48-25.
The Rockets had a 14-point lead in the first quarter and led 63-53 at halftime, while James had just eight points.
They opened the third with an 18-5 run, extending the lead to 23.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves did not return because of a sore left calf after contributing 12 points in the first half.
Rockets host Cleveland on Saturday, while the Lakers look to bounce back against the Kings on Sunday.
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