The Rockets started off the game like they had been shot out of a cannon, scoring a season-high 43 first quarter points (they scored 42 against the Nuggets last week). The Lakers, desperate to keep pace, kept turning the ball over, doing so nine times in the quarter. The Rockets would take full advantage, scoring 15 points in those opportunities, a ruthlessly efficient conversion rate.
The Lakers would make their run and pull within 12 at the half, but when the third quarter hit, the Rockets hit the gas again, scoring 39 points and putting the game way out of reach.