LeBron James rescues Lakers in overtime thriller and pushes Rockets to brink | NBA
LeBron James scored 29 points, including a game-tying three-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart scored eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of the Houston Rockets missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 victory Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers recovered from a six-point deficit with less than 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD, they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially at this point when we’re down six times.”
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 remaining to make the score 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a three-pointer to bring Houston within three points with less than 30 seconds left in overtime, but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to increase the lead to 112-108.
James, 41, played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said that with top scorers Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves injured, he had no choice but to do everything he could.
“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of everything we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and we’re just trying to solve it together.”
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 able to close out the game after James suffered back-to-back turnovers that turned Houston into a 101-95 lead.
Houston has struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter at times and the problem persisted Friday night.
“It’s obviously one of our weaknesses to close out and finish,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The number of errors or the type of errors are egregious and you can’t have them.”
Durant wasn’t on the bench Friday night and Udoka said that was because he was receiving treatment for his injured ankle.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by 15 early, but trailed by six before Smart fell foul of a three-point attempt with 25 seconds remaining after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.
“It was a smart play, and it’s part of my veteran experience, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I learned a few things from some guys, that’s true. So that helped us a lot.”
James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his three-pointer tied it at 101 with 13 seconds left 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 overtime.
James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the first half, also pulled down 13 rebounds.
