The Los Angeles Lakers turned out messy against the Houston Rockets as Russell Westbrook hurt them for 22 first-half focuses, however figured out how to make something happen in the second half with an outstanding cautious exertion, winning 124-115 to begin their yearly Grammy excursion off the correct way. Kyle Kuzma was a major piece of that. 

After a moderate first half, Kuzma got moving throughout the subsequent two casings. While he needed to leave the game in the second from last quarter to get his lower leg re-taped, Kuzma had all the earmarks of being okay, scoring 23 focuses and, all the more significantly, appearing as a lot of commitment, vitality and viability on barrier as he has all season. 

"I think disagreeably he was generally excellent, however protectively in that second from last quarter he took the test on Russ," Lakers star LeBron James said on ABC after the game. "Large advance for the youthful fella." 

The Lakers had figured out how to hang in to just path by 6 at the break regardless of Westbrook's endeavors in the main half, and outscored the Rockets 32-17 in the second from last quarter to broaden the lead they eventually wouldn't give up. 

It wasn't simply Kuzma, either. The entire Lakers program truly secured on safeguard for the greater part of the game, however particularly while broadening their lead in the subsequent half. They got avoidances, squares, takes and long bounce back to touch off their quick break assault, with LeBron James especially guiding their progress endeavors to flawlessness while completing with 31 focuses, 12 helps and unruly MVP drones out and about. 

JaVale McGee likewise merits credit for proceeding to step up in Anthony Davis' nonappearance. His barrier was colossal in filling the Lakers' second from last quarter run. He blocked three shots on the night, yet influenced incalculable others, and two of his squares — one of Clint Capela at the edge, and one of a corner three — were immense in building up L.A's. energy. 

This success stops the Lakers' losing slip at one game, and the group is presently 34-8 heading into their street matchup with the Boston Celtics on Monday. It's looking increasingly more like there is in any event an opportunity Davis will be back for that one, making it considerably to a greater degree an unquestionable requirement watch. We'll see you there. 

For more Lakers talk, buy in to the Cinema and Roll webcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Digital broadcasts. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.