Rockets pummel the Lakers by 39 (again)

Posted: March 15, 2017 -- 10:12 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets did not suffer much of a let down Wednesday night versus the Los Angeles Lakers. After the Rockets' big win Sunday night versus the defending-champion Cleveland Cavaliers, the Rockets raced past the Lakers 139-100.

Despite some carelessness with the ball (James Harden had 9 turnovers), the game was never in doubt. The Rockets led 37-26 after the first quarter; 66-52 at halftime; and 93-75 after 36 minutes.

In addition to his 9 turnovers, James Harden scored 18 points, dished 13 assists, and pulled down 12 rebounds for his 17th triple-double of the season; and, his second consecutive triple-double.

Tonight's 39 point margin of victory matched the winning margin the Rockets (47-21) had against the Lakers (20-48) December 7, 2016. Prior to the 39 point thumpings, the largest margin of victory by either team in the all-time series was 36 by the Lakers and 32 by the Rockets.

Lou Williams had a team-high 30 points along with 7 dimes in nearly 32 minutes of action off the bench. The 30 and 7 performance by Williams is the second time this season he's posted 30 plus points and 7 plus assists off the bench this season. Since 1983-'84, only two other players have posted two games with 30 or more points and 7 or more assists as a reserve in the same season: Jamal Crawford with the L.A. Clippers in the 2013-'14 season and Sleepy Floyd for the Rockets in the 1990-'91 season. Sleepy Floyd was also the last Rocket reserve to have a 30 plus points, 7 plus assists game (37 and 7 at Phoenix on March 15, 1991).

"We got it done. It's over. We go to the next one," Mike D'Antoni said after the game.

D'Antoni added the best thing about a blowout win like tonight's game is "Nobody gets hurt. That's all we want to do is make sure that everybody, you know, got on the floor; played, got their work in; and then, let's get to the next one."

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