As much press as Lonzo Ball gets, Kyle Kuzma is the Lakers' star rookie. He proved it time and time again on Wednesday as he dropped a career-high 38 points on 12-of-17 shooting as Los Angeles ended the Rockets' 14-game winning streak with a 122-116 victory.
However, as good as Kuzma's entire game was, his second half paled in comparison to his first where he went a perfect 9 for 9 from the floor and 7 for 7 from 3-point range.
He also became only the second Lakers' rookie in the last 55 years to post at least 38 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a single game. The other Laker to do so was Magic Johnson.
Kuzma though was not impressed.
"I was just really focused," he told after the game. "Just trying to be locked in and zeroed in (on) every detail."
As good as Kuzma was for the Lakers, James Harden was better for the Rockets. Houston's star guard scored 51 points on 15-of-27 shooting while hitting 17 of 21 free throws. He added nine assists as well after Chris Paul left with a leg injury.
Read: Giannis' double-double helps Bucks survive late Cavs rally
STUDS OF THE NIGHT
Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb had the best performance off the bench of any player in the league on Wednesday, scoring 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting in a 129-111 loss to the Raptors.
Heat center Kelly Olynyk made an impact against his old team, the Celtics. He scored a team-high 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting including 6 of 8 from 3-point range in Miami's 90-89 win over Boston.
DUD OF THE NIGHT
Blazers guard CJ McCollum scored 13 points on 5-of-22 shooting, but even worse, he started the game 2 for 16 from the floor and missed two shots in the final 15 seconds to tie the game. Portland ultimately lost to the Spurs, 93-91.
WHAT'S NEXT
Raptors (21-8) at 76ers (14-16) — The Raptors has one of the best backcourts with Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan but the 76ers has Ben Simmons. The rookie will need to step up without Joel Embiid as Philly looks to end a three-game losing streak.
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