Lakers snap 5-game losing streak in win over Rockets.
After losing to the Nets on Christmas Day, the Lakers bounced back in tonight's 132–123 win over the Houston Rockets that saw LeBron James' first-ever start at center, snapping a five-game losing streak to improve their season record to 16–17.
The Lakers had four players finish with over 20 points in tonight's win, with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook both finishing the night with a triple-double.
In addition to the big night from their stars, the Lakers enjoyed one of their finest shooting nights of the season as a team, shooting 41% (14 for 34) from outside the arc and 52% (48 for 92) overall.
For the first time in his 19 year career, LeBron James started tonight's game at the center position, playing all four quarters at the five for the Lakers.
In his first start at the center spot, James finished the night with his 3rd triple-double outing of the season, scoring a game-high 32 points on 58% shooting overall while adding 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 39 minutes.
After the game, James spoke on if he ever played center before in his basketball career, saying: "I never played center in my life before."
Later saying that he could thrive in any type of lineup moving forward. "If it's a game that calls for a big lineup, I can be successful. If it's a game that calls for a small lineup, I can be successful. My game is not one-dimensional."
Interim head coach David Fizdale spoke on the debut of LeBron James starting at center and what led to it, saying: "LeBron's plus-minus at the 5 is so ridiculous right now. I just decided tonight was the night to start him at the 5."
After going 4 for 20 in Saturday's loss to the Nets and taking harsh criticism on social media, Russell Westbrook completely bounced back from the ugly shooting night, shooting 59% from the floor with a triple-double of 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in his efforts.
With the Lakers running a small lineup with LeBron at the center, Malik Monk got the starting nod in tonight's matchup, providing the Lakers lineup with an energetic performance scoring 25 points (2nd most) on 50% shooting in 39 minutes of action.
In tonight's win, Carmelo Anthony was the Lakers spark plug off the bench, scoring 24 points on 50% (4 for 8) from three with a game-high plus/minus of +17 in his 27 minutes off the bench.
The Lakers' next matchup comes tomorrow night against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second back-to-back game as they look to get back to .500.