Lakers end trip with loss to Houston Rockets, 126-97

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Rockets guard James Harden and Kobe Bryant cross paths on the court during a game Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston.

(Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Houston’s Marcus Thornton (10) and Lakers forward Julius Randle battle for possession of the ball during the second half of a game on Dec. 12.

(Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Nick Young drives with the ball against Rockets guard Corey Brewer during a game Dec. 12 at Toyota Center in Houston.

(Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Houston forward Trevor Ariza Kobe Bryant wait on the court during a game on Dec. 12 at Toyota Center in Houston.

(Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Rockets guard James Harden drives to the basket against Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas during a game Dec. 12 at Toyota Center in Houston.

(Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Kobe Bryant acknowledges the fans in Houston as he leaves the court after the Lakers’ loss, 126-97, to the Rockets on Dec. 12.

(Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. is fouled by Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during the first half of a game Dec. 12 at Toyota Center in Houston.

(Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Lou Williams passes the ball around Rockets forward Clint Capela (15) during the first half of a game on Dec. 12.

(Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

By Eric Pincus

Dec. 12, 2015 8:03 PM PT

The Lakers finished a lengthy trip on Saturday night, falling to the Houston Rockets, 126-97

Playing on their second night in a row, and eighth straight away from home, the Lakers opened well against the Rockets, taking a 25-21 lead through the first 8 1/2 minutes.

Coach Byron Scott substituted starters D’Angelo Russell, Kobe Bryant, Larry Nance Jr. and Roy Hibbert -- and Houston started a lengthy 25-2 run to push ahead by 22 points.

Bryant tried to shoot the Lakers back into the game, scoring 12 points in a 93-second span in the second period, but the Rockets were able to hold off any Lakers run.

James Harden led all scorers with 30 points. Both Dwight Howard (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Clint Capela (11 and 10) reached double-doubles for the Rockets. Marcus Thornton added 18 off the bench as Houston shot 52.2% from the field, 45.5% from behind the arc (15 for 33) and 60.7% from the line (17 for 28).

The Lakers hit 39.8% of their field-goal attempts, 31.2% (10 for 32) of their three-point attempts and 85% (17 for 20) of their free throws, wasting one of Bryant’s strongest games of the season, 25 points on nine-for-16 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Russell hit his first four shots but only one of his next 10, for 12 points. Lou Williams scored 15 points, Nick Young 13 and Hibbert 10.

The Lakers played without guard Jordan Clarkson, who missed his second straight game because of a sprained ankle.

Young, who is averaging 0.6 assists a game, dished his first career assist to Bryant, despite playing with the Lakers’ All-star for over two seasons.

Julius Randle had a tough night but finished with 10 rebounds off the bench, along with seven points on three-for-11 shooting.

The Lakers (3-21) are off until Tuesday night, when they’ll host the Milwaukee Bucks (9-15) at Staples Center. The Rockets (12-12) play next on Monday, visiting the Denver Nuggets (9-14).

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus

Lakers end trip with loss to Houston Rockets, 126-97

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