NBA: Houston 125, Los Angeles Lakers 112

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HOUSTON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- James Harden scored 31 points for Houston in the Rockets' 125-112 win over the slumping Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday.

Harden also had nine assists for the Rockets, who won their fifth in a row and dealt the short-handed Lakers their fourth consecutive loss.

Chandler Parsons tallied 20 for the Texans and Carlos Delfino and Jeremy Lin added 10 apiece.

Steve Nash scored 16 points for the Lakers and notched 10 assists, giving him 10,000 for his career. Nash dished to Antoine Jamison on a pick-and-roll to become the fifth player in NBA history to top 10,000 assists.

Metta World Peace led Los Angeles with 24 points and Kobe Bryant totaled 20 points and seven assists.

Los Angeles took the floor at Toyota Center without injured starters Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, both of whom are out indefinitely.

Houston trailed 62-59 at halftime but outscored the Lakers 38-26 in the third quarter to take control of the contest.