Lebron James sets his season’s points record and the Lakers beɑt the Rockets with drɑmа 

LeBron James scores 37 points in the Lakers’ victory to send a message to Dillon Brooks and the Rockets.

LeBron James tore into the lane from left to right, forcing the ball up and off the backboard and through the basket by figҺting through contact.

His teammates stood and cheered as he gained momentum and moved toward the corner of the Lakers’ bench.

Against any opponent, this wasn’t just any basket. That put them two points ahead of Dillon Brooks. James made sure to place his hand down close to the court because of this.

James excelled once more on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, defeating Houston 105-104 while Anthony Davis fouled out and was benched. James finished with 37 points and the game-winning free throw.

But Brooks, who had provoked James during the playoffs as a Memphis Grizzlies player last spring, was not going to back down.

James was forced to react as Brooks made clutch shots after clutch shots to keep the Rockets competitive in the fourth quarter.

And on this occasion, the NBA’s all-time top scorer’s baskets spoke for itself.

The game-winning baskets came from a catch-and-shoot three-pointer and a baseline turnaround to beаt the shot clock, but neither one eliminated the Rockets. Neither did Austin Reaves’ 30-foot-three, which would have put the Lakers ahead by three, work.

James’ free throw, which came after he had already missed his first effort, was ultimately what made the difference.

Quite ironically, Brooks’ half-court heave that would have won the game was Houston’s final opportunity. It went wide.

Before fouling out, Davis finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. In just 25 minutes off the bench, Austin Reaves scored 17 points, pulled down six boards, and distributed six assists. He did, however, miss a crucial late free throw, which was the only mistake in a fantastic game.

The Lakers pulled through once more on a night when they were vastly outshot by Houston, who shot six for 29 (20.7%) on the night. Houston had eight more three-pointers than the Lakers.

Despite shooting lower than 22% from three, the Lakers are 3-0 this season for some reason.

Tuesday night, the Lakers host Utah in their pool-play finale with the chance to secure a spot in the in-season tournament quarterfinals.