Lakers Overcome Harden's 51 to End Rockets' Streak

Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma set career highs with 38 points and seven 3-pointers against the NBA's hottest team, and he wasn't all that impressed with it.

"Why not? I scored 30s in summer league, so...," he said before trailing off.

The stakes were a little higher Wednesday night. Kuzma helped the Lakers overcome James Harden's 51 points and end the Rockets' winning streak at 14 games with a 122-116 victory.

Kuzma was unstoppable in the first half, making all nine of his shots, including six 3-pointers. He cooled a bit after the break and finished 12 of 17 overall and 7 of 10 from deep.

 

"It's a better team but it's the same mentality," Kuzma said. "I've got the same mentality every time I step on the court. I try to play my hardest and just be locked in."

Houston lost for the first time since Nov. 14, while the Lakers snapped a three-game skid. It was tied before Los Angeles scored 10 straight points -- while Houston missed seven shots in a row -- to go up 110-100 with about four minutes left.

Harden powered Houston on a night when Chris Paul had just eight points before leaving early in the fourth quarter with a sore left leg. via ESPN