Lakers’ hot start goes to waste in 112-95 loss to the Houston Rockets

Lakers' Roy Hibbert, left, drives by Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard in the first quarter at the Staples Center on Sunday.

By Eric Pincus

Jan. 17, 2016 8:37 PM PT

After a competitive first half, the Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets, 112-95, on Sunday night at Staples Center.

James Harden, who helped put the Lakers away during a 34-18 third quarter, led all scorers with 31 points. The All-Star guard wasn’t needed in the fourth.

Kobe Bryant played through a sore Achilles’ tendon to hand out nine assists, seven in the first quarter, when the Lakers opened a 36-32 lead. The veteran also scored five points but turned the ball over four times in 24 minutes.

Julius Randle returned to the Lakers’ starting lineup with Larry Nance Jr. sidelined because of a sore knee. In 26 minutes, Randle tallied a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Former Lakers center Dwight Howard finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Rockets backup center Clint Capela also reached double figures in points (14) and rebounds (11).

Trevor Ariza scored 13, Ty Lawson 12 and both Marcus Thornton and Montrezl Harrell added 10 for Houston.

The Rockets shot 48.4% from the field, 28.6% (six of 21) from three-point range and 75% (18 of 24) from the line. After a blistering first quarter, shooting 73.7% from the field, the Lakers cooled to 45.1%, 37.5% (six of 16) and 78.9% (15 of 19), respectively.

Lou Williams was the Lakers’ leading scorer with 20 points. Jordan Clarkson added 16, D’Angelo Russell 12 and Anthony Brown 10.

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Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert defends during the second half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Brown, top, reaches for the ball along with Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer during the second half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Lakers’ Kobe Bryant dribbles past the Houston Rockets defense for one of his seven assists in the first quarter at the Staples Center on Sunday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers from left, Jordan Clarkson, Roy Hibbert and Marcelo Huertas sit on the bench as the Houston Rockets continue their big lead in the fourth quarter at the Staples Center on Sunday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers’ Julius Randle is fouled by Houston Rockets’ Clint Capela while battling for a loose ball at the Staples Center on Sunday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant looks to pass after driving to the basket against the Rockets in the first half.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers’ Lou Williams (23) dunks the ball against Houston Rockets’ Jason Terry at the Staples Center on Sunday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers’ Roy Hibbert, left, drives by Houston Rockets’ Dwight Howard in the first quarter at the Staples Center on Sunday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rockets center Dwight Howard blocks a shot by Lakers forward Ryan Kelly during the first half.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Houston Rockets guard James Harden, second from right, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert, right, and guard D’Angelo Russell, second from right, defend while forward Kobe Bryant, left, watches during the first half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, left, reaches in on Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas during the first half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Bass, right, reaches in on Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard during the first half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones, left, goes up for a dunk as Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert defends during the first half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert defends during the first half on Sunday.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

With the loss, the Lakers dropped their third game in a row, and third to Houston this season.

The Lakers (9-34) are off until Wednesday, when they’ll host the Sacramento Kings (17-23). The Rockets (22-20) play again on Monday, visiting the Clippers (26-14).

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

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