By Argie Paul Candare
The Los Angeles Lakers now hold an above .500 record for the first time this season after beating the young Houston Rockets, 95-85.
Carmelo Anthony led the team with 23 points, three rebounds and four blocks, while Russell Westbrook almost recorded a triple double with his 20 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists
Anthony Davis and LeBron James pitched in 16 and 15 markers, respectively.
After trailing by 28 points, 84-56, in the fourth, the Rockets made a final run, inching to within 81-93 before surrendering to the more experienced squad.
The Lakers dominated the first half, 54-35, behind the hot-shooting of Anthony, who also previously led the bench assault against Cleveland.
Eric Gordon scored 17 points, while Christian Wood tallied a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort for the Pistons. Rookie guard Jalen Green could only contribute 7 points and 5 assists.
The error-prone Rockets recorded 25 turnovers, which the Lakers converted into 32 points.
The loss was Houston’s fifth in six games.
The Lakers, owners now of two straight wins, will try to string a third one when they face the same team again this Wednesday.