Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Live Score, Highlights and Analysis

James Harden scored 30 points in just 27 minutes to lead the Houston Rockets to an easy 112-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night at Staples Center.

Although Harden's was the game's biggest star, Houston's biggest strength in the contest was its inside finishing. The Rockets ended up with 70 points in the paint, the result of playing physical big men against a Los Angeles lineup that was out of sync defensively and unable to stay strong near the rim. Houston's starting big men, Dwight Howard and Clint Capela, combined for 28 points and 26 rebounds despite both players sitting for much of the second half.

Los Angeles did have a strong start to the game, led by Kobe Bryant. The 37-year-old scored all five of his points and dished out seven of his nine assists in the first quarter as the Lakers raced out to a 36-32 lead.

From then on, though, they cooled off from the field and just let Houston manhandle them in the paint. The game was getting out of hand by about the midpoint of the third quarter.

The Rockets moved to 22-20 on the season, and will stay in town for a contest against the Clippers Monday night. The Lakers, now 9-34, don't return to action until Wednesday night, when they will host the Sacramento Kings.