In their first matchup on the NBA’s Christmas slate since 2019, the Rockets took care of business in Thursday’s emphatic 119-96 road victory (box score) over the Lakers.
The game could eventually prove pivotal for playoff positioning, as Los Angeles (19-10) is now only a half-game ahead of Houston (18-10) in the tightly bunched Western Conference standings.
Amen Thompson led the way with a game-high 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists while making 12-of-19 shots (63.2%), and the insertion of Tari Eason (13 points, 4 steals) into the starting lineup perhaps played a role in better spacing the floor for Thompson’s drives.
Eason started in place of Josh Okogie, whose role was relatively scaled down (10 minutes) due to Eason’s promotion and the return of Dorian Finney-Smith for limited minutes.
To put it simply, Thompson isn’t Houston’s best player, but he might be the most important. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun were All-Stars last season, and when the Rockets are able to get star-level production from a third player, the net effect on team success is hard to deny.
Other key statistics included:
With clear advantages in size and athleticism, Houston crushed the Lakers in the rebounding battle, 58-29.
With their season-long road trip of six games now in the books, the Rockets finally return home for a pair of games inside Toyota Center. Saturday’s tipoff versus the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-15) is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and nationally via NBA League Pass.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Amen Thompson takes starring role as Rockets blast Lakers on Christmas
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
