Blake's shot with 1.3 seconds left lifts Lakers

HOUSTON -- Steve Blake hit a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-98 victory over the Houston Rockets and Dwight Howard on Thursday night.

Houston led by two points before Blake took the inbounds pass from Jodie Meeks and made the shot to win the game.

The Rockets had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Patrick Beverley's 3-point attempt bounced off the backboard.

James Harden had 35 points and Howard finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds against his former team. Howard missed seven free throws in the last 3 1-2 minutes that could have secured the win for Houston.

Howard spurned the Lakers to sign an $88 million deal with Houston, joining Harden and a team that made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2009.

The Rockets took their first lead since the first quarter on a dunk by Chandler Parsons following a steal by Harden that made it 93-91 with about 4 minutes left.