Updates and highlights from Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: LeBron James makes his home debut

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On Thursday, the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled LeBron's debut with the Lakers. Two days later, the Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron's home debut with the Lakers.

Fueled by an MVP performance from James Harden, Houston defeated Los Angeles by nine points on Saturday to give them a 1-1 record on the season. The Lakers, meanwhile, fall to 0-2.

If you missed any of the action, check below for highlights from LeBron's STAPLES Center debut...

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

Box score | Play-by-Play

Final score: Lakers 115, Rockets 124

1:15 a.m. - This is why James Harden is the reigning MVP: 14 points in the fourth quarter and two huge shots down the stretch to give the Houston Rockets a 124-115 victory.


LeBron James goes for 24 points (9-for-22 shooting), five rebounds and five assists in his STAPLES Center debut.

1:13 a.m. - James Harden might have just hit the dagger. His 3-pointer over Lonzo Ball gives the Rockets a 120-113 lead with 1:12 to go.

1:10 a.m. - Kyle Kuzma gets the action going again with a powerful reverse set up by Lance Stephenson.


1:04 a.m. - Some tempers have flared in Los Angeles. Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Brandon Ingram have all been ejected from the game. 

12:56 a.m. - Don't let the 3-point shooting distract you from all the other things Lonzo Ball is doing. To go along with 14 points, he has five rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes.


He's going to be a special player.

12:55 a.m. - James Harden is doing MVP things out here.


12:46 a.m. - A STRONG finish by Eric Gordon gives the Rockets a 106-100 lead.


12:44 a.m. - Give Lonzo Ball another triple! He's 4-for-7 from deep on the night.

Everyone else on the Lakers? 4-for-21.

12:35 a.m. - Luke Walton calls a timeout less than two minutes into the fourth. It's safe to assume he's not thrilled about the Rockets going on a quick 5-0 run.

End of 3rd quarter: Lakers 97, Rockets 98

12:30 a.m. - The pace has not slowed down in this one.


 

It's a two-man show for the Rockets, with James Harden and Chris Paul combining for 53 points after three quarters.

LeBron James leads the way for the Lakers with 18 points, but Los Angeles has five other players in double figures scoring. Two of them — Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball — have come off the bench.

12:27 a.m. - A good sign if you're a Lakers fan: Lonzo Ball is 3-for-5 from 3-point range. He has 11 points in 12 minutes of action.


12:20 a.m. - Have you noticed that there isn't a traditional big man on the floor right now? Brandon Ingram and Carmelo Anthony are the power forwards and LeBron James and PJ Tucker are the centers.

The modern NBA!

 

End of 2nd quarter: Lakers 62, Rockets 66

11:51 p.m. - At the half, LeBron James has 11 points (5-for-10 shooting), three rebounds and three assists.

The problem for Los Angeles? James Harden and Chris Paul have been running circles around them, combining for 42 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

11:42 p.m. - JaVale McGee is giving the Rockets problems. The big man has four blocks in only nine minutes.

He couldn't get this one, though...


11:37 p.m. - This didn't exactly go to plan:


11:23 p.m. - Here come the Lakers! An 11-3 run ties this game up at 42 with 8:07 to go in the second.

End of 1st quarter: Lakers 28, Rockets 31

11:15 p.m. - Carmelo Anthony's second field goal of the night comes at the buzzer and gives the Houston Rockets a three point lead after one.


11:04 p.m. - Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton calls a timeout with 3:39 to go in the first.

The Lakers are currently up 21-19 against the Rockets. Brandon Ingram leads the way for L.A. with six early points.

LeBron, meanwhile, has four points, one rebound and one assist.

10:55 p.m. - A few minutes later, LeBron gets his first dunk.


10:50 p.m. - LeBron's first bucket comes in the form of a jump shot!


10:46 p.m. - Here's LeBron being introduced at the STAPLES Center as a member of the Lakers for the first time:


Yup, that's going to take some getting used to.

10:42 p.m. - Starting for the Houston Rockets: Chris Paul, James Harden, James Ennis, PJ Tucker and Clint Capela.

10:35 p.m. - Starting for the Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James and JaVale McGee. 

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Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News