No D'Antoni yet but Lakers runs past Rockets

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (C) grabs a rebound over Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (R) and Lakers point guard Darius Morris (1) during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, California, Nov 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The Lakers are still waiting for coach Mike D'Antoni to take charge of his first game but Los Angeles continued their recent revival with a 119-108 win over Houston on Sunday.

Dwight Howard had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant registered a triple-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, as the Lakers delivered another potent performance and a season-high points total.

D'Antoni was hired last week, and while knee surgery has kept him from coaching from the sidelines so far, Los Angeles (5-5) have enjoyed their two highest scoring games of the season since he began guiding practices.

The Lakers exploded out of the blocks against the Rockets with 40 points in the first quarter that gave them an 11-point lead, and they padded that advantage to as much as 19 in the fourth.

Chandler Parsons had a team-high 24 points and James Harden added 20 for the Rockets, who fell to 4-6 on the season.

The Lakers have won four of five games since firing Mike Brown, with interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff manning the bench during games until D'Antoni is ready.

Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin comes under the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, California, Nov 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]