Lakers

James added 11 rebounds and 11 assists to record his third triple-double of the season in a 132-123 win in LA.

Russell Westbrook finished with a triple-double of 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while Malik Monk scored 25 points and Carmelo Anthony 24.

Jalen Green responded with 24 points as the Rockets lost a fifth straight game.

James, who this month became the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 triple-doubles, started at centre for the first time in his career.

James, who turns 36 later this month, led the Lakers to their first title in a decade in October having previously won two championships with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Lakers are favourites to again win the title in the upcoming season which tips off later this month.

The Warriors have defeated James' former franchise the Cleveland Cavaliers in each of the past two NBA Finals, securing a dominant 4-0 clean sweep earlier this year.

Wednesday saw the release of the schedule for the 2018-19 season, which includes several nationally televised games on December 25.

Those include a showdown between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, which will pit Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons against Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum.