L.A. Lakers 104, Houston 107

ROCKETS 107, LAKERS 104: Goran Dragic collected 16 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds and hit some big shots down the stretch as host Houston maintained its grip on a playoff spot in the West.

Courtney Lee hit three free throws in the final 10 seconds and finished with 23 points while Luis Scola also scored 23 for the Rockets.

Los Angeles led 95-83 with 6:41 left after Ramon Sessions found Pau Gasol for a layup. But the Rockets quickly chipped away and took the lead back, getting eight points from Chandler Parsons and back-to-back 3-pointers from Dragic and Lee during a 17-2 burst over the next 4:41.

Kobe Bryant stopped the rally with a jumper to pull the Lakers back within 100-99 and knotted it with another basket after Patrick Patterson split a pair of free throws.

Dragic struck from long range, burying a 3-pointer with 28 seconds on the clock. Bryant missed a tying 3-point attempt with 16.9 left and Lee sealed it at the free throw line.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Lakers scored 40 points in the first quarter. … Los Angeles, which ranks second in the NBA in rebounding, was beat on the glass 40-31. … Bryant scored 29 points but shot 10 for 27 from the floor. He is 13 for 47 (27.7 percent) from the field in the last two games. ... Los Angeles has dropped two straight.

• Houston will play their next game at home against Golden State. The Rockets have a W/L % of .542 after a win and .522 after a loss.
• L.A. Lakers will play their next game on the road against Dallas . The Lakers have a W/L % of .607 after a win and .611 after a loss.