NBA -- Late 3 rescues Lakers over Rockets, 99-98
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 09 Nov 2013
CHICAGO -- Steve Blake drilled a wide open 3 with 1.3 seconds left to play and the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the Houston Rockets, 99-98, Thursday night at the Toyota Center.
"I had confident in Blake. And he was hot," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters during the post-game that followed the dramatic triumph.
The 33-year old Blake, a 10-year NBA veteran, finished with 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-land. The 6-foot-3 guard also had three rebounds and two assists and the Lakers to 2-3 won for the first time on the road this season.
The Lakers' victory got a huge assist from ex-Laker Dwight Howard, who missed 11 of 16 free throws, including 7-of-8 in the last 2 minutes and 30 seconds of the fourth quarter. Howard finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds in his first game against his former team.
"Our free throws were terrible. We just have to keep working. It was terrible tonight," Howard told NBA.com after his team missed a total of 19 free throws.
Jodie Meeks had 18 and led a cast of six Lakers who finished in double figures in points. Wes Johnson tallied 16 while Steve Nash added 12 and six assists. Jordan Farmar and Nick Young contributed 11 apiece.
The Lakers built a 17-point first quarter lead but the Rockets, behind 35 points from James Harden, closed the gap to set up the dramatic finish. Jeremy Lin chalked 16 points, three assists and three steals while Chandler Parsons added another 16. (Homer Sayson)
Photo: The Lakers celebrate after stinging the Rockets 99-98 in Houston.
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