Amen Thompson led the home team with 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20. Houston secured their first win of the series with a balanced offensive effort, as the entire starting lineup scored at least 16 points each. Alperen Sengun had 19, Reed Sheppard 17, and Jabari Smith Jr. 16 points.
The Rockets responded after a painful loss in the previous game, where they squandered a six-point lead in the final 26 seconds of regulation and lost 112-108 in overtime. This time, they took control early, heading into halftime with a nine-point lead, and opened the third quarter with a 12-4 run to go up 68-51.
Houston later extended their lead to 19 points in the third quarter and led 90-65 heading into the final period. When the Rockets held a 23-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick decided to pull his key players and clear the bench.
Houston played this game without Kevin Durant, who missed his third straight game. He sat out the first game due to a right knee contusion and the next two because of a left ankle sprain, though he was on the bench Sunday to support his teammates.
Los Angeles struggled offensively. Deandre Ayton recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds but was ejected with about five and a half minutes left in the third quarter for a Flagrant Foul 2 after hitting Sengun in the head. The referee described the contact as "unnecessary and excessive."
LeBron James had one of his weaker games of the series, finishing with 10 points, nine assists, and eight turnovers, shooting 2-for-9 from the field. The Lakers made only five three-pointers, after combining for 35 in the first three games.
Game 5 will be played Wednesday night in Los Angeles.