Bryant scores 30, leads Lakers past Rockets 93-90

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

The Houston Rockets lost a basketball game aginst the Los Angeles Lakers tonight by the score of 93-90. Sounds like no big deal, right? On most occasions, probably not. But Houston’s loss proved to be costly. Rockets swingman Tracy McGrady was lost to the team late on the first half when he injured his right elbow reaching in on Los Angeles forward Luke Walton.

McGrady was fouled by Lakers center Kwame Brown on the play; McGrady was forced to shoot his 2 free throws left-handed, of which he made only one. McGrady went to the locker room before the half ended and was on his way to the hospital before the 2nd half started. Los Angeles had built an 18-point lead with not much help from guard Kobe Bryant. After Lakers G Jordan Farmar’s jumper, Houston narrowed the lead to 41-29.

The Rockets trailed the Lakers at the half 61-49, then proceeded to go on a 19-8 run, which included 8 turnovers starting the 3rd quarter; G Rafer Alston’s jumper put Houston down by only 1. Houston guard Bonzi Wells contributed 8 points in the first 5 minutes of the 4th period, with a layup tying the game up at 79. The Lakers’ Bryant returned to the game with 7:58 left in the game and sank a jumper; Alston returned the favor with a layup.

Houston center Yao scored over the Lakers’ Brown with 5:44 left to put Houston ahead 83-81, but Bryant would score again to tie the game yet again. Los Angeles G Derek Fisher and Bryant hit a pair of free throws each to extend the Lakers’ lead to 87-83. Houston got to within 3, but missed 3-point tries by Wells, Alston and F Shane Battier sealed the win for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles’ high scorer was Bryant with 30 points, with 8 rebounds and 5 assists; Fisher added 13. Houston was led by Yao with 26, with Wells adding 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Los Angeles (4-3) returns home to Staples Center to host the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, while Houston (6-3) also plays on Friday, hosting the San Antonio Spurs.

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