HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers are playing from behind again in these NBA playoffs.
James Harden scored 36 points and the Houston Rockets ran away from the Lakers 112-97 on Friday night, the second straight round the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference lost its opener.
Russell Westbrook added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Eric Gordon had 23 points for the Rockets, the No. 4 seed who had just one day of rest after needing seven games to win their first-round series.
Anthony Davis had 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers.
LeBron James had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The teams will face off in Game 2 of the series Sunday night.
