LOS ANGELES (AFP) --- Luka Doncic scored 36 points as the in-form Los Angeles Lakers powered to their sixth straight victory with a 100-92 defeat of the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association on Monday.

A crucial showdown between the third and fourth-ranked Western Conference teams ended with the Lakers pulling away in the final minute of the fourth quarter to claim an impressive win on the road.

The victory gives the Lakers (43-25) a valuable cushion over the Rockets (41-26) as they jostle for postseason positions in the West.

Doncic was once again instrumental in dragging the Lakers over the line while a hard-nosed defensive effort kept the Rockets’ scoring in check.

LeBron James finished with 18 points and Austin Reaves 15 while Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston’s scoring with 22 points.

“We held them to 92 points, which for this team is pretty awesome. We did a great job defensively,” Doncic said.