Lakers show grit in 98-92 comeback win over Rockets

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, celebrates with teammate Wesley Johnson in the closing seconds of a 98-92 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Wesley Johnson celebrates after scoring the eventual winning basket in the Lakers’ 98-92 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, center, puts up a shot between Lakers center Robert Sacre, left, and forward Wesley Johnson during Wednesday’s game. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers guard Jeremy Lin, left, drives around Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during the Lakers’ 98-92 win Wednesday. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Wesley Johnson and Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas chase after the ball during the first half of a game Nov. 19 in Houston. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Houston Rockets guard James Harden, left, dribbles the ball ahead of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

(Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant looks on during Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Carlos Boozer, right, puts up a shot over Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the first half of a game Nov. 19 in Houston. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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As part of the trade to acquire Jeremy Lin, left, last year, the Lakers will receive the Houston Rockets’ first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley, left, drives past Lakers guard Kobe Bryant during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, tries to work past Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant waits on the court between plays during Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers guard Jeremy Lin, right, drives on Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, drives past Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley during the Lakers’ 98-92 win Wednesday. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant reacts after being fouled while making a basket during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 98-92 comeback win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, left, puts up a shot in front of Lakers guard Jeremy Lin during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Jordan Hill, left, looks to pass while being guarded by Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas during the first half of Wednesday’s game. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

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Lakers forward Wesley Johnson, center, celebrates next to teammates Jeremy Lin, left, and Nick Young after scoring the eventual winning basket during the Lakers’ 98-92 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Lakers forward Nick Young celebrates after hitting two free throws in the closing seconds of a 98-92 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant celebrates during a 98-92 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)

By Eric Pincus

Nov. 19, 2014 9:27 PM PT

Lakers 98, Houston Rockets 92 (final)

Wesley Johnson helped the Lakers steal a road victory against one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Johnson’s steal from All-Star James Harden, turned into a three-point play with the ensuing layup and free throw, helping the Lakers clinch their second-straight victory with a win over the Rockets (9-3).

The Lakers improve to 3-9, winning their second-straight game since Nick Young returned from a thumb injury.

Houston center Dwight Howard was a late scratch with a knee injury. The Rockets started and finished the game with rookie Tarik Black, who had five points and nine rebounds.

James Harden had a big game, but Coach Byron Scott put Johnson on the scorer late, with center Jordan Hill coming in to help on the double team.

Harden finished with 24 points, seven assists and six turnovers.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 29 points, shooting 10 of 28 from the field (35.7%). Bryant also dished seven assists.

Carlos Boozer struggled with his jumper (5-for-15 shooting), but finished with a double-double (12 points and 13 rebounds). Hill scored 16 with 10 boards, while Ed Davis chipped in with six points and 11 boards off the bench.

The Lakers had 47 rebounds to the Rockets’ 38, including a 14-6 advantage on the offensive glass.

Houston shot 40.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range (15 of 38). The Lakers converted 40.7% and 25.0% (5 of 20), respectively. Both teams took 23 free-throw attempts.

Young finished with 16, shooting six for 15 from the field. Johnson added nine points and two steals -- including his timely takeaway that led to the eventual winning basket.

The Lakers travel to Dallas to play the Mavericks (8-3) on Friday. The Rockets host the Mavericks on Saturday.

Rockets 75, Lakers 70 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers struggled to keep pace with the Rockets in the third quarter, falling behind by as many as 10 points.

A late push helped the Lakers trim the deficit in half.

Kobe Bryant finished the third with a game-high 20 points, but shot just 8 for 22 from the field (36.4%). Bryant missed nine of 11 shots in the period.

As a team, the Lakers hit 42.0%, getting 12 points from Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill.

The Rockets converted 13 three-pointers (on 28 attempts, 46.4%). James Harden shook off a slow start to score 17 points with six assists.

Rockets 51, Lakers 49 (halftime)

The Rockets maintained their two-point lead going into the half, holding off the Lakers and Kobe Bryant, who scored 10 points in the second quarter.

Kostas Papanikolaou led all scorers with 16 points off the bench. Houston shot 45.9% from the field while hitting nine of 19 three-point attempts (47.4%).

The Lakers hit 45.7% and 33.3% (4-12), respectively. The Rockets took 10 free throw attempts to just four for the Lakers.

Bryant led the Lakers with 13 points while Carlos Boozer added 11 points and nine rebounds in just 17 minutes.

James Harden had a relatively quiet four points on two shot attempts, but dished four assists for the Rockets. Jeremy Lin had three points and three assists, but four turnovers for the Lakers.

Rockets 23, Lakers 21 (end of first quarter)

Dwight Howard was a surprise late scratch, sitting out with a strained knee. With rookie Tarik Black starting in Howard’s place, the Rockets were able to finish out the first quarter with a two-point lead.

Carlos Boozer and Kostas Papanikolaou led all scorers with eight points each.

Kobe Bryant hit just one of six attempts for three points. James Harden didn’t score.

The Lakers shot just 34.8% from the field while Houston hit 47.4%, including 50% from three-point range (5-10).

Pregame

The Lakers (2-9) have just their second shot at a winning streak, when they visit the Houston Rockets (9-2) on Wednesday.

The Rockets have the second-best record in the league -- the Lakers the second-worst.

The Lakers will play without Ryan Kelly (hamstring), Wayne Ellington (personal matter), Julius Randle (leg) and Steve Nash (back). Houston forward Terrence Jones is out with a leg injury.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Houston Rockets.

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