NBA 2018-19: 3 talking points from Houston Rockets' victory over Los Angeles Lakers

#2 Poor execution in the clutch period from the Lakers

LeBron James could not close this one out for the Lakers

The match was pretty close throughout. The Lakers even had the lead at one point, going ahead 101-99, but everything went haywire for them from there.

The Rockets made two three-pointers on two consecutive possessions to get back the lead, and the Lakers just couldn't come back after that.

James Harden checked back into the game and torched the Lakers. He scored 9 points all by himself on three possessions to help the Rockets take a 12-point lead. Two of those possessions ended in step back threes.

The Lakers also became very passive on the offensive end. LeBron James had 27 points after only 3 quarters, but he was not his usual self in the fourth quarter and added only two points.

The other Lakers players also failed to produce buckets. Poor free throw shooting further aggravated the situation for them.

The Lakers next play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.