HOUSTON — Lou Williams scored 30 points against his former team and James Harden had his 17th triple-double of the season to lead the Houston Rockets over the Los Angeles Lakers, 139-100, on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).
Harden had 18 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds as Houston handed the Lakers their 11th loss in 12 games.
Williams broke out of a recent shooting slump against his ex-teammates. Houston sent Corey Brewer and a first-round draft pick to Los Angeles in a trade for Williams three weeks ago.
The deal paid off for the Rockets on Wednesday night as Williams went 7 for 9 from beyond the arc and made his first seven field goal attempts, including four straight 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Brewer had four points in 21 minutes.
With D'Angelo Russell struggling to find a rhythm and in foul trouble much of the game, Los Angeles leaned heavily on Julius Randle, who gave Houston fits all night. Randle muscled his way into the paint for 32 points and eight rebounds.
Rookie forward Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson both scored 18 points for Los Angeles.
But the Rockets' 3-point shooting proved overwhelming for the young Lakers as Houston drained 18 of 43 from outside the arc (41.9 percent).
Houston led 66-52 at halftime and outscored the Lakers in every quarter. Houston won by 39 points, the same margin of victory as the last time it played the Lakers, a 134-95 rout in Los Angeles on Dec. 7.
Nick Young was back in the starting lineup for the Lakers, but his shooting woes continued. Young went 0 for 9 from the field, including 0 for 7 from 3-point territory.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Russell fouled out when he was called for an offensive foul with seven minutes remaining. ... Former Rockets Brewer, Tyler Ennis, Thomas Robinson, Tarik Black and Metta World Peace all played in the game for Los Angeles.
Rockets: Houston has won nine of its last 11 against the Lakers and taken four straight season series for the first time in franchise history. . Harden had nine of Houston's 19 turnovers, largely on wild passes.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Rockets: Visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.