EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Here are three takeaways from the Lakers’ 112-97 loss Friday to the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

1. James Harden looked like James Harden again. This was bad news for the Lakers.

After a surprisingly poor Game 7 in the first round, Harden gave the Rockets a boost Friday with a very efficient 36 points. He shot 60%, was three for six from three-point range and also handed out five assists.

It was a way different Harden than the one who made only four of 15 shots in the Rockets’ series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the first round. He was one for nine from three-point range in that game.

Harden had 25 points in the first half, the Rockets led by eight, and an upset was already in the making.

2. LeBron James didn’t score in the fourth quarter. That can’t — and won’t — happen again this series.

But he missed all three of his attempts in the final 12 minutes and the Lakers were outscored, 27-18.

For context, Houston guard Eric Gordon scored 11 in the fourth quarter.

James finished with 20 points, including a monstrous dunk over Russell Westbrook earlier in the game. But the Rockets finished with the first win in the series.

3. The Lakers’ backcourt just wasn’t in synch.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green struggled throughout the game, unable to conjure up any consistency.

Caldwell-Pope scored five points on two-for-eight shooting while Green had 10 points on four-for-12 shooting. These numbers must improve if the Lakers want to keep pace with Houston’s high-energy offense.

Friday marked a step back particularly for Pope, who shot 48% from three-point range in the last four games of the first round. He appeared to be on a roll, throwing together some good momentum, until it dissipated Friday.

Mike Bresnahan is the Lakers analyst for Spectrum SportsNet.