The Los Angeles Lakers passed their big test of the week when they used a big run in the fourth quarter to beat the improved Houston Rockets, 111-82.
The Rockets acquired the talented but volatile forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings in the off-season. And because of this, experts picked the Rockets as one of the teams to challenge the Lakers' Western Conference crown. Before the match, the Rockets sported 4-2 will-loss record.
The Lakers got a strong game from Pau Gasol, contributing 20 points and 15 rebounds, in addition to 3 blocked shots. Reigning MVP Kobe Bryant led the team in scoring with 23 points as the Lakers outscores the Rockets 61-34 in the second half. The Lakers also shot very well, with a 53.2% clip as a team.
With the win, the Lakers are the only unbeaten team in the Western Conference, and one of two teams in the league (with the surprising Atlanta Hawks being the other). The team is definitely on a roll, but a hard upcoming week with back-to-back games against the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets and a home game against the revamped Detroit Pistons could be the source of their first loss of the season.
Tags: Lakers
