Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Gameday > Recap: Lakers Hang On For Big Win Over Rockets At Home
Gameday

Recap: Lakers Hang On For Big Win Over Rockets At Home

Daniel Starkand
Published: 03/31/2025
4 Min Read
LeBron James, Lakers, Rockets
Mar 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes the ball during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
SHARE

After a roller coaster road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home and host the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

This game had big standings implications as the regular season winds down, and the Lakers were able to hang on for a 104-98 victory in what was a defensive battle.

Alperen Sengun started the game with back-to-back buckets inside before Luka Doncic got the Lakers on the board with a three-point play. After a slow start from deep for L.A., Dorian Finney-Smith finally got one to go to give his team their first lead.

Finney-Smith hit another triple, but outside of him, the Lakers stayed ice cold. The Rockets were as well until Tari Eason ended the quarter with a corner triple to give them a 19-16 lead.

Jabari Smith Jr. heated up to begin the second with back-to-back triples, although LeBron James finally got one to go for L.A. in response.

Gabe Vincent provided a spark for the Lakers with three 3s. Doncic also got going offensively, creating open looks for him and his teammates. After he made a free throw to end the half, the Lakers and Rockets went into the locker room tied at 48.

Doncic threw an alley-oop to Jaxson Hayes to begin the second quarter and then James hit a triple, although the Rockets responded with Dillon Brooks scoring five straight points.

Things got a little chippy with Finney-Smith and Steven Adams picking up double technicals. That seemingly gave the Lakers some energy though as Finney-Smith and Vincent continued to knock down big shots to give them an 82-77 lead at the end of the third quarter.

James and Reaves each scored to extend the lead early in the fourth, although the Rockets answered right back with Amen Thompson and Smith triples. Both teams were locked in on both ends of the floor, making for an exciting finish.

Brooks was trying to do a little too much for his team, taking some tough shots to no avail. With the Lakers leading by five, Smith hit a jumper to keep his team close.

The Rockets had the ball trailing by three in the final minute but turned the ball over. After the Lakers did the same, Brooks went to the line but missed the first free throw.

At that point, the Lakers needed to make free throws to close it out. They were forced to burn a timeout after the Rockets trapped Finney-Smith. They eventually got it in to James, and he made a pair of free throws to extend the lead to four.

LeBron then had a huge block on the other end, allowing the Lakers to close it out.

What’s next for the Lakers…

The Lakers’ home stand continues with a back-to-back against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Before that, they have two off days in a row for the first time in over a month.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers
ByDaniel Starkand
Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as the managing editor for LakersNation.com, Daniel also serves as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
SAT

4

oct
Suns at Lakers
Sat, Oct 4 | 2:00 AM · Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Rd, Palm Desert, CA, USA
Suns at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
confirmation_number
MON

13

oct
Warriors at Lakers
Mon, Oct 13 | 1:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Warriors at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
THU

16

oct
Mavericks at Lakers
Thu, Oct 16 | 2:00 AM · T-Mobile Arena, 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Mavericks at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
SAT

18

oct
Kings at Lakers
Sat, Oct 18 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Kings at Lakers
✔ 📺 Watch on SportsNet LA
calendar_view_day
View All
See all upcoming and past events on Stanza.
Go to Stanza
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?