It was a three point fiesta in Los Angeles as the Lakers couldn’t stop the Rockets from beyond the three point arc. The Rockets couldn’t miss from three point land shooting 41% on 12-29 shooting. Houston got to the line at will, struggled at times as the team shot 34-50 which translates 68% from the line. James Harden alone shot 15-16 from the free throw line. Dwight Howard was in early foul trouble but finished the game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The big difference though was the play of Trevor Ariza with 16, including 5-10 from the three point line and Terrence Jones getting 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets.
The closest the Lakers ever got was being down by five early on in the third quarter, but couldn’t continue to attack the rim when Dwight Howard sat the bench. Kobe Bryant finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds and couple of nice assists but it wasn’t enough support from his cast of teammates. Carlos Boozer had 17 with 7 rebounds and Jeremy Lin scored 7 points with 6 assists.
It was early on though for the Lakers, shooting 6-25 to start the game in the first quarter. That immediately set the Lakers behind and then they couldn’t get back into it. Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer showed flashes in the third but it wasn’t enough.
During the fourth quarter though, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard got into an argument after Howard and Bryant tangled up and Howard threw and elbow at Bryant. Howard and Bryant were eventually separated but not after Kobe could send some parting shots Howard’s way.
The real devistating news was late in the fourth when first round pick for the Lakers, Julius Randle went down with an apparent leg injury. Randle was taked out of the game with an apparent leg injury, early reports from Rachel Nichols is that Randle may have a broken leg.
#Lakers medical staff tells me Julius Randle has broken his leg. Awful to see him carted off here.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 29, 2014
More from Nichols
Lakers tell me Randle has a fractured tibia, they're transporting him to the hospital, where they'll determine if he needs surgery.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 29, 2014
Sad stuff to start such a promising career.
Check out some highlights below from ESPN.com and NBA.com
Full game highlights
Trevor Ariza finishes a four point play.
https://www.nba.com/video/games/lakers/2014/10/28/0021400003-hou-lal-play1.nba/
Kobe Spins and Hits the jumper
https://www.nba.com/video/games/lakers/2014/10/29/0021400003-hou-lal-play6.nba/
Kobe with a no-look assist
https://www.nba.com/video/games/lakers/2014/10/29/0021400003-hou-lal-play5.nba/
