LeBron James’ late three-pointer forced overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers took a 112-108 win against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers now lead the Western Conference first-round series 3-0. The Lakers can complete a sweep in Houston on Sunday.
James Forces Overtime as Lakers Take Series Lead
LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying three-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation. Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant. The win gives the Lakers a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining. Coach JJ Redick said it’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without Durant, the Rockets are a great basketball team. He added that the game was a huge test for the Lakers, especially when they were down six.
Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead. Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a three-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.
Rockets Struggle to Close Out the Game
The 41-year-old James played more than 45 minutes. He said with top scorers Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can.
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers. Even with Durant out for a second game in this series – this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury – the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.
Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter and the problem continued. Coach Ime Udoka said it’s obviously a weakness of theirs to close out and finish. Udoka added that the amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.
- Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds.
- Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
- Durant wasn’t on the bench, as he was receiving treatment on his injured ankle.
James Steals the Ball to Tie the Game
The Lakers led by 15 early, but were down six before Smart was fouled on a three-point attempt with 25 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws. James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his three-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds to go in the fourth.
Sengun missed a seven-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James’ three-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.
Smart said it was a smart play, and that’s part of his vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years. He added that he picked up some tricks from some guys, and that helped them a lot.
James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the fir