Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
LeBron Rallies Lakers to 111-106 Victory Over Rockets
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
February 22, 2019

Share

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James knows that he needs to turn up his intensity if the Los Angeles Lakers are going to make the playoffs. He certainly did that on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets when his team needed it the most.
James scored 16 of his 29 points in the second half as the Lakers rallied from a 19-point deficit midway through the third quarter to defeat the Rockets 111-106.

“I need to be in that level right now. Knowing the circumstances we are in and kick starting something. I like where I am at and will continue to get better. Tonight was a step in the right direction.” — LeBron James
It was Los Angeles’ largest comeback win of the season and its sixth when trailing by 15 or more at any point. The previous biggest comeback came on Feb. 7 at Boston when it was down 18 in the second quarter.
“I need to be in that level right now. Knowing the circumstances we are in and kick starting something,” said James, who also had 11 rebounds and six assists. “I like where I am at and will continue to get better. Tonight was a step in the right direction.”
The Lakers were down 95-88 with 7:49 remaining when they went on a 17-4 run over a six-minute span to take control. James, who scored eight points during the run, gave Los Angeles a 99-97 lead with 4:15 remaining. They would lead by as many as eight in the final minute.
After struggling from the field the first three quarters, the Lakers were 8 of 13 from the field and 10 of 11 from the foul line in the final 12 minutes. Houston, which made close to half its shots the first 36 minutes, was just 7 of 19 from the field and 2 of 12 on 3-pointers. It also didn’t get to the foul line the final 20 mintues.

Back-to-Back 3-Pointers

“It looked like we got our defensive mojo, our defensive confidence, back as the game went along,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “We had to get to different match-ups but we kept scrapping a found a way to give ourselves a chance.”
Brandon Ingram had 27 points — including 11 of 14 from the foul line — and 13 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma added 18 points.

“It comes down to where LeBron makes big shots and we didn’t. We probably ran a little bit out of gas. It was a lot of little factors.” — Houston coach Mike D’Antoni
James Harden led Houston with 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists before fouling out with 1:24 remaining. It is his 32nd consecutive game where he has scored 30 or more points, overtaking Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Chamberlain also holds the record at 65 games.
“It’s a few things like it has been throughout the entire season,” said Harden on not sustaining a large lead. “Sooner or later, you have to be able to correct them.”
Paul, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds before also fouling out, was an assist shy of a triple double.
“It comes down to where LeBron makes big shots and we didn’t,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We probably ran a little bit out of gas. It was a lot of little factors.”
Houston led 32-22 at the end of the first quarter when it ended the period with eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Faried and Austin Rivers.
Harden’s jumper gave the Rockets a 52-39 advantage with 4:20 remaining before the Lakers went on an 9-0 run. The Rockets would lead 58-52 at halftime.

Playoff Chase

The Lakers evened their record at 28-28 but remain in 10th place in the Western Conference and 2½ games behind the Clippers for the final playoff spot. Their next three games are against teams with losing records and they face the Clippers twice down the stretch.
Walton said he has seen a more intense James since the Lakers returned from the All-Star break.
“He’s had a more serious look to his face,” Walton said. “He recognizes where we are at and the sense of urgency. He was huge tonight but he’s always great.”

Capela Returns

Houston center Clint Capela returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 13 and had a double-double. Capela — who had 12 points and 10 rebounds — suffered a right thumb injury against Orlando and missed 15 games.

Tip-Ins

Rockets: Eric Gordon scored 14 points and Kenneth Faried 13. … It is only the fifth loss for Houston in 33 games when it has led after three quarters.
Lakers: Reggie Bullock scored 14 points. … G Mike Muscala missed the game due to a sprained right ankle.

Up Next

Rockets: Travel to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Lakers: Visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

DON'T MISS

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

DON'T MISS

Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion

DON'T MISS

Trump Proposes Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest on US-Made Cars

DON'T MISS

Western US Sees Sharp Increase in Extreme Weather Impact

DON'T MISS

Amazon Said to Make a Bid to Buy TikTok in the US

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Found Dead, Coroner’s Office Seeks Help Finding Family

DON'T MISS

The ‘Six’ Wives of King Henry VIII Sing Their Hearts Out in Fresno

DON'T MISS

7-Year-Old Girl Was Killed by a Falling Boulder at a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

DON'T MISS

Musk Could Be Headed for a Washington Exit After Turbulent Times at Trump’s DOGE

DON'T MISS

Outrage Grows Over Maryland Man’s Mistaken Deportation to El Salvador Prison

UP NEXT

Webb Pitches 7 Strong Innings as Giants Beat Astros

UP NEXT

Curry Drops 52 as Warriors Beat Grizzlies, Move into Fifth in West

UP NEXT

Dodgers Extend Perfect Start Behind May and Betts’ Heroics

UP NEXT

Lakers Hold Off Rockets With 6 3-Pointers Apiece From Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent

UP NEXT

Athletics Bat Boy Stewart Thalblum Takes Down Drone in Left Field

UP NEXT

NFL Postpones Tush Push Decision but Passes Other Rule Changes, AP Source Says

UP NEXT

March Madness: It’s South Carolina vs. Texas and UCLA vs. UConn in Women’s Final Four

UP NEXT

Flores Homers and Drives in 4 to Lead Giants Over Astros

UP NEXT

Glasnow Pitches 5 Scoreless Innings and Dodgers Beat Winless Braves

UP NEXT

Braves’ Jurickson Profar Hit With 80-Game PED Ban

Western US Sees Sharp Increase in Extreme Weather Impact

55 minutes ago

Amazon Said to Make a Bid to Buy TikTok in the US

56 minutes ago

Fresno Man Found Dead, Coroner’s Office Seeks Help Finding Family

1 hour ago

The ‘Six’ Wives of King Henry VIII Sing Their Hearts Out in Fresno

1 hour ago

7-Year-Old Girl Was Killed by a Falling Boulder at a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

1 hour ago

Musk Could Be Headed for a Washington Exit After Turbulent Times at Trump’s DOGE

2 hours ago

Outrage Grows Over Maryland Man’s Mistaken Deportation to El Salvador Prison

2 hours ago

Kings County Chase Ends in Meth Arrest, but Deputies Are Looking for Driver

2 hours ago

Xavier Becerra Enters 2026 California Governor’s Race

2 hours ago

Reps. Costa, Gray Propose Bill to Address Critical Doctor Shortage in Rural Areas

2 hours ago

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond h...

8 minutes ago

8 minutes ago

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

West Fresno satellite campus of Fresno City College
30 minutes ago

Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion

49 minutes ago

Trump Proposes Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest on US-Made Cars

A new Gallup poll shows that extreme weather events have sharply increased in the Western U.S., with 43% of residents affected, largely due to wildfires and extreme heat, while concerns about climate change continue to rise. (Shutterstock AI)
55 minutes ago

Western US Sees Sharp Increase in Extreme Weather Impact

An Amazon distribution facility in Garner, N.C., on Feb. 8, 2025. Amazon has reportedly put in a last-minute bid to acquire all of TikTok, the popular video app, as it approaches an April deadline to be separated from its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States, according to three people familiar with the bid. (Kate Medley/The New York Times)
56 minutes ago

Amazon Said to Make a Bid to Buy TikTok in the US

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office is asking for public assistance in locating the family of 60-year-old Jonathan Scott, who passed away from natural causes on March 17, 2025. (Fresno County SO)
1 hour ago

Fresno Man Found Dead, Coroner’s Office Seeks Help Finding Family

1 hour ago

The ‘Six’ Wives of King Henry VIII Sing Their Hearts Out in Fresno

Photo of Incline Village, Nevada, taken on Feb. 2, 2029. A 7-year-old girl, Adelyn Grimes of Reno, was killed by a falling boulder while climbing a hillside at Diamond Peak ski resort in Incline Village, Nevada, over the weekend. (Shutterstock)
1 hour ago

7-Year-Old Girl Was Killed by a Falling Boulder at a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend