On March 17, Beijing time, the battle between the Rockets and the Lakers for the top spot in the Western Conference saw the Rockets defeat the Lakers 104-92 after four quarters of play, securing a 22-game winning streak and climbing to the top of the Western Conference.
McGrady scored 11 points with 6 assists, Alston had 31 points, Scola recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds, Battier contributed 14 points, and Jackson added 19 points. Kobe Bryant finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, Odom had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Turiaf contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. Netizens debated: Are the Rockets now unbeatable in the league?
Both teams started with a fast pace. Mutombo blocked Odom's shot, Scola's layup was called an interference, Alston's three-pointer went through the net, giving the Rockets a 5-0 lead over the Lakers right from the start. Odom dunked to break the Lakers' scoring drought, followed by Battier’s three-pointer as retaliation. Kobe hit a mid-range jump shot, but the Rockets were ahead in momentum as Alston continued to sink three-pointers. Kobe and McGrady tussled on the floor at the top of the arc, and the Rockets led 16-10 before calling a timeout. Kobe narrowed the gap to 3 points, but Hayes and McGrady made mistakes, allowing Fisher to assist Kobe in a dunk that brought the score to 15-16. Radmanovic's three-pointer tied the game at 18-all, making the contest highly competitive. Hayes completed a 2+1 over Turiaf, Alston capitalized on Kobe's turnover to throw in a three-pointer, re-establishing the Rockets' lead at 24-20. However, Farmar's three-pointer helped the Lakers narrow the gap to 23-24.
Kobe and Farmar committed a turnover, Harris was blocked by Turiaf, grabbing the offensive rebound but then called for traveling. Odom took advantage of Mutombo's absence to attack the basket aggressively, putting the Lakers up by 1 point. Jackson's mid-range jump shot reclaimed the Rockets' advantage. The two teams exchanged blows, Kobe scored inside, Harris responded with a one-handed dunk, and Head stole the ball for an easy layup, leading the Rockets to a 32-29 timeout. Odom was called for a technical foul for kicking the ball, and Head drew a foul from Vujacic on a three-point attempt. With the Lakers' offense completely silenced, the Rockets extended their lead through free throws, building a 9-0 run to lead 39-29. Turiaf hit both free throws to stabilize the Lakers' situation, Vujacic's three-pointer cut the deficit to 5 points. In a crucial moment, Harris' second-chance effort gave the Lakers a wake-up call, and the Rockets' bench players helped maintain the lead. After sufficient rest, McGrady returned to the game, both teams reverted to their starting lineups, and Head continued to penetrate the Lakers' interior defense successfully. The Rockets went on a 10-4 run, expanding their lead to 49-38. Scola operated freely in the Lakers' paint, prompting Radmanovic to receive a technical foul. At halftime, the Rockets led 59-44.
Kobe struggled to score 2 points, McGrady sent Turiaf to the bench for chatting, and the Rockets continued their aggressive play from the first half, though their shooting percentage wasn't ideal. Kobe remained trapped in the Rockets' web, unable to perform effectively. Fisher contributed 5 points leading the Lakers on a 10-0 run, cutting the score to 54-59, forcing the Rockets to adjust tactics. When the Rockets increased their defensive intensity, the Lakers' offense was stifled again. DJ Mbenga, Mutombo's countryman, received an assist from Kobe to reduce the gap to 3 points. McGrady assisted Alston in responding with a three-pointer, breaking the Rockets' 6 minutes and 8 seconds scoring drought, stabilizing the situation at 62-56. The Rockets still lacked offensive momentum, Odom fought fiercely inside, allowing the Lakers to catch up to 60-62. DJ Mbenga blocked Scola's shot, McGrady scored his first points on a driving layup, Kobe retaliated in kind, and McGrady drew a foul on Radmanovic. The Lakers, trailing 62-64, called a timeout. Both teams entered a free-throw battle, Alston's three-pointer suppressed the Lakers' counterattack momentum. After Kobe scored on a drive, Alston sank another critical three-pointer, keeping the Rockets leading 71-66.
Entering the final quarter, Walton assisted Farmar in continuing to chase the score, Alston's three-pointer further hurt the Lakers, Battier attacked inside successfully, and the Rockets led 78-72 on the scoreboard, maintaining control of the game. Turiaf's 2+1 reduced the gap to 3 points, McGrady used a pick-and-roll to stop the Lakers' momentum with a jump shot. Scola came back for the final showdown, McGrady drew a foul on Kobe and made one of two free throws, continuing to keep the Lakers behind. Kobe and Odom's free throws narrowed the gap to 2 points, the game entered its white-hot stage, the Rockets led 81-79. Jackson's three-pointer struck a blow to the Lakers' confidence, the Rockets continuously grabbed offensive rebounds to maintain their lead, with the overall momentum favoring the Rockets, the Lakers could not turn things around. Just as Farmar's three-pointer reignited the Lakers' spirit, Battier easily scored two points on a layup, forcing the Lakers to call a timeout at 84-88. Odom missed both free throws, Battier's three-pointer delivered a fatal blow to the Lakers, the Rockets led 91-84. Losing competitiveness, the Lakers relied on Kobe's solo efforts, Jackson's three-pointer allowed the Rockets to take a 10-point lead, the Lakers' timeout at 86-96 proved meaningless. After Vujacic's mid-range shot missed, Alston's layup succeeded, subsequently stealing the ball from Kobe to cut off the Lakers' last breath, the Rockets led 100-86. Odom's layup became insignificant, Kobe's three-pointer clanged out, the Rockets' victory was within sight. Scola made both free throws, Battier blocked Kobe's shot, and the game was decided, with the Rockets defeating the Lakers 104-92 to secure their 22nd consecutive win.
Starting lineups:
Rockets: McGrady, Scola, Alston, Battier, Mutombo
Lakers: Kobe, Odom, Fisher, Radmanovic, Turiaf