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NBA: Lakers win third straight, edge Rockets in final seconds

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Field Level Media/Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/05/13/20210513-nba_lal-hou-rtr.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) during the second half at Staples Center. <em>Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters.</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Kyle Kuzma drove for the decisive layup with 6.9 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.</p><p>Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 23 points and 10 assists, Andre Drummond recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds and Kuzma had 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Los Angeles (40-30) won its third straight game.</p><p>The Lakers played without LeBron James (ankle) for the 26th time in the past 28 games. Anthony Davis (adductor) also sat out.</p><p>Houston&#x27;s chance to win was thwarted when Wesley Matthews forced Kelly Olynyk to fumble the ball. Horton-Tucker recovered it and was fouled, splitting two free throws with 0.9 seconds left, missing the second on purpose.</p><p>Armoni Brooks scored a career-best 24 points and Olynyk also had 24 for Houston (16-54), which has lost seven straight games and 44 of their past 49. Kenyon Martin Jr. added 20 points and 10 rebounds.</p><p>The Lakers lifted last season&#x27;s championship banner to the rafters prior to the contest.</p><div><strong>HIGHLIGHTS:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TpQNI8LgZs0?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Los Angeles is one game behind the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers as it bids to avoid the play-in round. The Lakers are currently in seventh place and would be part of that round if the standings hold.</p><p>Houston standout Christian Wood (ankle) missed his fifth straight game.</p><p>Montrezl Harrell scored 16 points for Los Angeles.</p><p>The Rockets faced a late eight-point deficit before Martin and Jae&#x27;Sean Tate connected on 3-pointers and Martin split two free throws with 47 seconds to play to bring Houston within 121-120. Olynyk followed with two free throws with 22.9 seconds left to put the Rockets ahead.</p><p>Markieff Morris tallied 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alfonso McKinnie scored 10 points apiece for the Lakers, who knocked down 57.1 percent of their shots, and hit 7 of 20 from 3-point range.</p><p>Cam Oliver scored 17 points and Tate had 16 for the Rockets, who made 50.6 percent from the field and were 18 of 42 from behind the arc.</p><p>Los Angeles led 59-53 at the break.</p><p>Anthony Lamb completed an 11-2 surge with a 3-pointer as Houston took a 72-71 lead with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter.</p><p>Los Angeles scored seven straight points late in the period to lead by seven. D.J. Augustin ended that streak by being fouled while shooting a 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left and he made all three attempts to bring Houston within 100-96.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1640673" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Kyle Kuzma drove for the decisive layup with 6.9 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.</p>

Kyle Kuzma drove for the decisive layup with 6.9 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.