Rockets 108, Lakers 90: James Harden had 32 points and six assists in three quarters of play as visiting Houston recorded a season-opening victory over Los Angeles.

Terrence Jones had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza scored 16 points in his club debut as the Rockets spoiled the return of Kobe Bryant. Dwight Howard contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds in his first contest against Bryant since leaving the Lakers after the 2012-13 campaign.

Bryant scored 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting in 29 minutes after playing just six games last season due to two leg injuries. Carlos Boozer had 17 points in his Lakers’ debut, but Los Angeles struggled by shooting just 35.4 percent in Byron Scott’s first game as coach.

Houston led by double digits for most of the last three quarters. The Rockets led 85-69 entering the final period and opened it with a 10-1 run and later stretched the lead to 27 on two free throws by Howard with 7:07 left before cruising to the finish.

Harden had 22 first-half points as Houston led 62-45 at the break. Los Angeles pulled within seven on Jordan Hill’s two free throws with 6:52 left in the third before the Rockets finished the period on a 19-10 run.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Howard was assessed a flagrant 1 foul for hitting Bryant with an elbow with 7:07 remaining, and Howard and Bryant were called for technicals after needing to be separated by the referees. … Ariza made five 3-pointers as Houston was 12-of-29 from behind the arc. … F Julius Randle (broken right leg) was taken off via a stretcher with 6:46 remaining for the Lakers, who played without G Wayne Ellington (concussion) and F Ryan Kelly (hamstring).