Jordan Clarkson scored 25 including a key 3-pointer down the stretch to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to 120-114 win over the Houston Rockets, Wednesday at Staples Center.
Clarkson was 8 of 12 from the field and connected on all of his 7 free throws. Julius Randle contributed 18 points, seven boards and six assists, D'Angelo Russell added 20 points, while Timofey Mozgov had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers to start its first season since 1996 without Kobe Bryant, according to ESPN. The game also marked the head coaching debut of Luke Walton.
The Rockets were led by James Harden who had 34 points, 17 assists and eight boards. The Rockets also got 19 points from Eric Gordon and 16 points and nine rebounds from Clint Capela. It was the coaching debut at the Rockets bench for ex-Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni.
The Rockets led 71-66 at halftime, with Harden producing 16 points and 14 rebounds at this point. However, the Rockets only made 1-of-16 of their 3-point attempts in the second half. The Lakers were able to slow Harden down in the second half by forcing turnovers and misses, according to Bleacher Report.
The Lakers, playing with a second unit of Clarkson, Brandon Ingram, Lou Williams, Larry Nance Jr., and Tarik Black were able to force a 100-100 tie with 8:31 left in regulation, the Los Angeles Times reported.
With 1:48 remaining, Clarkson hit a 3-pointer nailed a three to put the Lakers up 116-112. After Nene's 13-footer, Clarkson grabbed a rebound off a miss by Nick Young and converted it to a layup to restore a 4-point lead at 118-114. Clarkson then stripped Harden that led to a jump hook by Randle for the 120-114 margin.
The Rockets will next host the Dallas Mavericks while the Lakers will travel to Utah to take on the Jazz, both on Friday.
