The Lakers suffered their 11th defeat pf the season as they were beaten 126-111 in Houston on Thursday night.
They were just two points behind going into the fourth quarter but were outpointed 36-23 in the final sector with the Rockets running away with the game.
James Harden, a contender for NBA MVP, shone as he made an astonishing 50 points, 11 assists and ten rebounds.
Eighteen of Harden’s points came from free throws with the Lakers giving him 19 opportunities from the line.
And LeBron James criticised that aspect of the Lakers defence.
“It’s not the fourth quarter, it’s the whole game,” LeBron said.
“We gave up too many offensive rebounds for second chance points.
“What we didn’t want to do is put James on the free throw line and he got there 20 times.
“We put him on the line 20 times, he’s already talented offensively, can put the ball in the hole multiple ways.
“But you give him easy points when you put a guy like that on the line.
“You can’t put KD on the line for 20 free throws, you can’t put him on the line for 20 free throws.
“You can’t put any scorers in the league on the line that many times because they just hit the ball in the hole.”
Star man Harden praised his team-mates after the important victory for the Rockets.
“I just believe in my guys, coaching staff, this organisation and everything they have to offer,” Harden said.
“We will just continue to build.
“I’ll continue to get better on both ends of the ball.
“And these guys just played great.”