National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Lakers 119, Houston 108
When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, November 18, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #72 J.T. Orr, #33 Zach Zarba
Attendance: 18997
Lakers 119, Rockets 108: Kobe Bryant recorded his 18th career triple-double as Los Angeles improved to 4-1 under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff with an impressive offensive display against visiting Houston.

New Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni was not on the sideline, but his offensive influence was evident as Los Angeles had 40 points after one quarter and 98 through three periods. Bryant amassed 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while Dwight Howard racked up 28 points and 13 boards. All five Lakers starters scored in double figures, including Pau Gasol, who had 17 and became just the 10th foreign-born NBA player to surpass 15,000 points.

Chandler Parsons led Houston with 24 points, shooting 80 percent from the field, 3-point range and the free-throw line. James Harden, the Rockets' top scorer and the second-most prolific offensive performer in the league behind Bryant, had 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting.

Hired last Monday, D'Antoni has yet to make his official debut as he still is rehabilitating from knee replacement surgery and told reporters in Los Angeles he didn't "want to be a sideshow." D'Antoni could be on the sideline Tuesday against Brooklyn as the Lakers wrap up their six-game homestand.

The Lakers made nine straight field goals in one stretch of the first quarter, taking a lead they would not relinquish. Los Angeles shot 73.9 percent from the field in the opening period but cooled off late, when the outcome had been all but guaranteed.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Lakers played without their top two point guards, Steve Nash (stress fracture) and Steve Blake (abdominal strain). Darius Morris, who's been starting in their absence, had a career-high 12 points. ... Rockets C Omer Asik was split open by an elbow in the second quarter. He needed five stitches and returned in the second half. It's the second time in the young NBA season that Asik has suffered a facial laceration during a game. ... Houston's Carlos Delfino missed his second straight game with a groin injury. ... The Lakers officially announced the addition of Dan D'Antoni, Mike D'Antoni's older brother, as an assistant coach prior to the game.
Top Game Performances
 
Houston   L.A. Lakers
Chandler Parsons 24 Scoring Dwight Howard 28
Jeremy Lin 10 Assists Kobe Bryant 11
Omer Asik 9 Rebounds Dwight Howard 13
Chandler Parsons 4 Free Throws Made Dwight Howard 6
Terrence Jones 2 Steals Kobe Bryant 3
Terrence Jones 1 Blocks Dwight Howard 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Houston 108 48.9 9-23 11-18 30 42 1 8 15
L.A. Lakers 119 54.1 9-20 18-28 27 41 3 10 13
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game at home against Brooklyn. The Lakers have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game on the road against Utah. The Rockets have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .400 after a loss.