HOUSTON _ The Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets came into Sunday night's game desperate for a win and they played like it.
It took two overtime periods for the Rockets to finally best the Lakers. P.J. Tucker scored off an offensive rebound to give the Rockets a lead, then a defensive stop for the Rockets sealed the Lakers' fate.
The Lakers lost to the Rockets, 148-142, on New Years Eve, falling to 11-24 on the season while the Rockets improved to 26-9. The loss extended the Lakers' losing streak to six. The Rockets ended a five-game losing streak, which began with a loss to the Lakers on Dec. 20. That had been the franchise's longest losing streak since January of 2013.
Julius Randle started his second consecutive game, and reached double figures again, this time scoring 29 points with 15 rebounds, both season highs, before fouling out in the first overtime period. Rockets guard James Harden led all scorers with 40 points, making 17 of 21 free throws and adding 11 assists.
Randle only played eight minutes during the Lakers' first trip to Houston on Dec. 20, finishing the game with four points, a rebound and an assist.
This time, Randle set a tone early, making six of his first eight shots. He had 19 points in his 14 first-half minutes and 10 rebounds by halftime, too. The Lakers made 61 percent of their shots in the first half. The Lakers led by seven points at halftime, on the strength of a season high 72-point first half.
Josh Hart hit a three-pointer to start the second half, and from there the Lakers extended their lead. With 6:34 remaining in the game, they led by 17 points. The Rockets quickly roared back, but the Lakers led for most of the second half, until a frenzied final couple minutes gave the Rockets a chance to steal the win.
With 1:16 left in the game, Harden got to the rim, scored and was fouled. His free throw tied the game, and marked the first time in the entire second half that the Rockets didn't trail the Lakers. Harden was injured on the play and left the game. He was unavailable for overtime.
Seconds later, Kyle Kuzma coolly sank a three-pointer, inches away from the Rockets bench. As it fell, he bounced up and down, turning toward the cluster of Rockets players standing near him.
Houston's newest addition, Gerald Green, tied the game again with 17.7 seconds left. The Lakers' counter _ another three-point attempt by Kuzma, who made five-of-eight in regulation _ didn't fall.
In the first overtime, the Lakers and Rockets went toe to toe.
During the period's waning seconds, Brandon Ingram drove to the basket and was fouled by Tucker with the Lakers trailing 133-131. Ingram, who had made only 61 percent of his free throws entering Sunday's game, hit both free throws. He made all six free throws he took during the game.
Chris Paul took the final shot of the first overtime and missed.
The Lakers remained close to the Rockets during the second overtime, with the help of a seven-point period from Tyler Ennis. But their roster thinned due to foul trouble _ Ennis and Hart both joined Randle by fouling out.
