Game ID: 22400491
Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets
Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 36 31 24 28 119LAL 22 27 40 26 115
HOU vs LAL ScoutingHOU vs LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 4 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 30 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 18 min since (117% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 15 min since (121% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 12/23 after 11, 8 min since (67% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 12 min since (109% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 34 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 3 since 12/23, returns tonight: 40 min (126% of 32)
OUT Eason missed 5 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 31 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 12/19 after 10, 17 min since (109% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 12/19 after 2, 13 min since (104% of 12)
BACK Landale back 12/19 after 7, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 12/23 after 11, 8 min since (67% of 12)
BACK Tate back 12/19 after 2, 13 min since (116% of 11)
NEW Smith Jr. 29 to 35 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Eason missed 6 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 32 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
BACK Brooks back 12/29 after 3, 40 min since (126% of 32)
HOU availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 7 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 33 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 5 min (40% of 12)
OUT Landale missed 3 since 12/27, returns tonight: 5 min (42% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 3 since 12/27, returns tonight: 29 min (250% of 12)
BACK Brooks back 12/29 after 3, 40 min since (126% of 32)
HOU availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Thompson missed 2 since 1/01, returns tonight: 41 min (126% of 32)
OUT Eason missed 8 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 34 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Brooks back 12/29 after 3, 37 min since (116% of 32)
BACK Sheppard back 1/03 after 2, 5 min since (40% of 12)
BACK Landale back 1/03 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 1/03 after 3, 29 min since (250% of 12)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Tate 11 to 17 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 9 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 35 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 1/05 after 2, 41 min since (126% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 12/29 after 3, 36 min since (113% of 32)
BACK Sheppard back 1/03 after 2, 5 min since (40% of 12)
BACK Landale back 1/03 after 3, 5 min since (42% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 1/03 after 3, 29 min since (250% of 12)
HOU availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 3 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 10 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 36 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 1/05 after 2, 41 min since (126% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 12/29 after 3, 32 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Landale back 1/03 after 3, 4 min since (34% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 1/03 after 3, 19 min since (167% of 12)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 1/13 · 3 days' restOUT Smith Jr. missed 4 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 11 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 37 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 3 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 1/05 after 2, 39 min since (121% of 32)
BACK Landale back 1/03 after 3, 4 min since (34% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 1/03 after 3, 19 min since (167% of 12)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Smith Jr. missed 5 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Eason missed 12 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 38 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 4 since 1/05, returns tonight: 6 min (51% of 12)
OUT Landale missed 2 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 1/09, returns tonight: 21 min (179% of 12)
BACK Thompson back 1/05 after 2, 40 min since (123% of 32)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 12/28 · 2 days' restOUT Hayes missed 13 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 24 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK James back 12/15 after 2, 35 min since (99% of 35)
LAL availability going into 12/31 · 2 days' restOUT Hayes missed 14 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 25 since 11/04, out tonight
LAL availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Hayes missed 15 since 11/27, returns tonight: 18 min (96% of 19)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 26 since 11/04, out tonight
LAL availability going into 1/03 · back-to-backOUT Vincent missed 2 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 27 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/02 after 15, 18 min since (96% of 19)
NEW Christie 25 to 32 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 3 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Vanderbilt missed 28 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/02 after 15, 14 min since (76% of 19)
NEW Christie 25 to 32 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 4 since 12/31, returns tonight: 24 min (114% of 21)
OUT Vanderbilt missed 29 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Hayes back 1/02 after 15, 12 min since (61% of 19)
NEW Christie 25 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/13 · 5 days' restOUT Vanderbilt missed 30 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 4, 24 min since (114% of 21)
BACK Hayes back 1/02 after 15, 12 min since (62% of 19)
NEW Christie 25 to 32 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 31 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 2 since 1/07, returns tonight: 6 min (52% of 11)
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 4, 21 min since (98% of 21)
BACK Hayes back 1/02 after 15, 12 min since (63% of 19)
NEW Christie 25 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 32 since 11/04, out tonight
BACK Vincent back 1/07 after 4, 22 min since (106% of 21)
BACK Milton back 1/15 after 2, 6 min since (52% of 11)
NEW Christie 25 to 34 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Green at 22 and Sengun at 21 a game. Without Thompson (2 straight), Eason (8 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 30 and Reaves at 24 a game. Without Vincent (3 straight), Vanderbilt (28 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Houston's 33. Call it Houston 113, the Lakers 109, the Lakers keeping it close.
12/27 vs MIN 112-113 — HOU notes
HOU lost 112-113. HOU took 9 more shots (92 to 83), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 49% to MIN's 51%, 10 of 30 from three. Sengun led with 38 (16 of 25, 6 of 10 at the line); Thompson added 20, VanVleet 18. Q3 was theirs, 32-19, turning a 5-point deficit into a 8-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 94-80 against them. They led by as many as 16.
12/29 vs MIA 100-104 — HOU notes
HOU lost 100-104. HOU took 13 more shots (97 to 84), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to MIA's 44%, 13 of 40 from three, and got to the line 13 times to MIA's 28. Brooks led with 22 (8 of 20, 5 of 12 from three); Green added 19, Sengun 18. Q3 was theirs, 32-28, turning a 3-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 76-68 against them. They led by as many as 12. Thompson's -17 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/01 vs DAL 110-99 — HOU notes
HOU won 110-99. HOU shot 47% (42 of 89) to DAL's 53%, 8 of 25 from three, and went to the line 23 times to DAL's 16 — 18 points from the stripe to their 8. HOU turned it over 12 times to DAL's 20. Sengun led with 23 (9 of 16, 5 of 8 at the line); Green added 22, Brooks 19. The hinge was Q2, 37-22: HOU came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 18. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
1/03 vs BOS 86-109 — HOU notes
HOU lost 86-109. HOU took 11 more shots (88 to 77), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 36% to BOS's 51%, 10 of 36 from three, and got to the line just 12 times against 21 fouls committed. Ja. Green led with 27 (10 of 21, 5 of 13 from three); Sengun added 14, Whitmore 11. Q3 was theirs, 16-17, but the other 3 periods went 92-70 against them. Sengun's -28 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs LAL 119-115 — HOU notes
HOU won 119-115. HOU shot 47% (47 of 99) to LAL's 49%, 14 of 40 from three, and got to the line 19 times to LAL's 28. The glass went 49-39 for them. Green led with 33 (12 of 24, 5 of 12 from three); Thompson added 23, VanVleet 15. The hinge was Q1, 36-22: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/07 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sarr at 16 and Brogdon at 14 a game. Without Coulibaly (2 straight), Holmes (6 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 17 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Sengun at 21 a game. Without Smith Jr. (2 straight), Eason (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Washington's 122 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 16 times a game to Houston's 11. Call it Houston 114, Washington 111, Washington keeping it close.
1/09 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 27 and Bane at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Aldama (6 straight), Smart (8 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Green at 26 and Sengun at 19 a game. Without Smith Jr. (3 straight), Eason (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 18 times a game to Houston's 10 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Memphis's 121. Call it Memphis 115, Houston 113, Houston keeping it close.
1/13 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Green at 28 and Sengun at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Smith Jr. (4 straight), Eason (11 straight). 3 days' rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 28 and Bane at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Smart (10 straight), Williams Jr. (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 17 times a game to Houston's 10 and the defense, Houston allowing 110 a night to Memphis's 121. Call it Houston 117, Memphis 114, Memphis keeping it close.
1/15 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 105, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 22 and Jokić at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 114, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 32 and Sengun at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Smith Jr. (5 straight), Eason (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Houston plus-4 and the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Houston's 114. Call it Denver 115, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.
12/28 vs SAC 132-122 — LAL notes
LAL won 132-122. LAL shot 60% (46 of 77) to SAC's 51%, 14 of 26 from three, and went to the line 33 times to SAC's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 11. Davis led with 36 (12 of 16, 11 of 13 at the line); Reaves added 26, Hachimura 21. The hinge was Q3, 42-24: LAL came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 17, and the lead reached 20. LAL trailed 65-66 at the half and won the second half 67-56. Davis was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/31 vs CLE 110-122 — LAL notes
LAL lost 110-122. LAL shot 44% (42 of 95) to CLE's 48%, 9 of 35 from three. Reaves led with 35 (11 of 20, 1 of 4 from three, 12 of 13 at the line); Davis added 28, James 23. Q2 was theirs, 23-24, but the other 3 periods went 98-87 against them. Hachimura's -17 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/02 vs POR 114-106 — LAL notes
LAL won 114-106. LAL shot 46% (43 of 94) to POR's 50%, 15 of 43 from three, and got to the line 14 times to POR's 21. LAL turned it over 12 times to POR's 18. James led with 38 (15 of 25, 7 of 10 from three); Christie added 28, Reaves 15. The hinge was Q2, 33-20: LAL came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 15. Finney-Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
1/03 vs ATL 119-102 — LAL notes
LAL won 119-102. LAL shot 49% (43 of 88) to ATL's 41%, 13 of 30 from three, and went to the line 25 times to ATL's 18 — 20 points from the stripe to their 14. LAL turned it over 18 times to ATL's 8, and ATL turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 56-39 for them. L. James led with 30 (13 of 20, 2 of 5 from three); Reaves added 20, Davis 18. The hinge was Q4, 23-16: a lead of 10 became 17. Reaves was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/05 @ HOU 115-119 — LAL notes
LAL lost 115-119. LAL shot 49% (38 of 78) to HOU's 47%, 16 of 36 from three, and went to the line 28 times to HOU's 19 — 23 points from the stripe to their 11. The glass went 39-49 against them. Davis led with 30 (10 of 18, 2 of 4 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Reaves added 21, James 21. Q3 was theirs, 40-24, the deficit cut from 18 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 95-75 against them.
1/07 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Washington at 16 and Grimes at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Irving (2 straight), Edwards (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 28 and James at 28 a game. Without Vincent (4 straight), Vanderbilt (29 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been minus-1 a night and Dallas minus-5 and the turnovers, Dallas giving it away 15 times a game to the Lakers' 12. Call it the Lakers 115, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
1/13 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 24 a game. Without Vanderbilt (30 straight). 5 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 16 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 23 and Johnson at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. 4 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-2 and the arc, the Lakers at 36 percent from three to San Antonio's 31. Call it the Lakers 113, San Antonio 111, San Antonio keeping it close.
1/15 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; James at 25 and Davis at 25 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Vanderbilt (31 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Herro at 25 and Adebayo at 16 a game. Without Butler III (6 straight), Richardson (25 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 104 a night to the Lakers' 114. Call it Miami 111, the Lakers 110, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/17 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Davis at 24 and James at 22 a game. Without Vanderbilt (32 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 118, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Clowney at 13 and K. Johnson at 13 a game. Without Thomas (7 straight), Watford (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Lakers at 37 percent from three to Brooklyn's 32. Call it the Lakers 115, Brooklyn 108.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CR C. Reddish
DF D. Finney-Smith
DK D. Knecht
JH J. Hayes
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
RH R. Hachimura
SM S. Milton
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CW C. Whitmore
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JT J. Tate
JG Ja. Green
SA S. Adams
LAL/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Green has 33 points, VanVleet's late steal helps Rockets hold on for 119-115 win over Lakers
HOUSTON -- — Jalen Green scored 33 points and Fred VanVleet grabbed a key steal late to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 119-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Amen Thompson added 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in his return after a two-game suspension to help Houston eke out the victory after leading by as many as 22.
A basket by LeBron James got the Lakers within 117-115 with eight seconds to go. Alperen Sengun missed 1 of 2 free throws after that to give Los Angeles a chance to tie it.
But VanVleet stole the inbounds pass intended for James. VanVleet made 1 of 2 free throws to secure the victory.
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. James added 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Los Angeles used an 11-2 run, with six points from Davis, to get within two with 4 minutes to go. A dunk by Thompson started a 7-2 run that pushed Houston’s lead to 115-108 with 2 ½ minutes remaining.
The Rockets remained up by seven about a minute after that when a 3 by Davis cut the lead to 117-113 before the basket by James.
Takeaways Lakers: Davis was dominant throughout this one but James struggled to get going early and had just five points at halftime.
Rockets: Thompson’s performance Sunday was a good sign for Houston. The second-year player is starting in place of Jabari Smith Jr., who could be out up to two months after breaking a bone in his hand Friday.
Key moment The steal by VanVleet that sealed the victory.
Key stat The Rockets had 52 points in the paint to 40 by the Lakers.
Up next The Lakers visit Dallas on Tuesday night and the Rockets visit Washington that night.