The Houston Rockets, without Kevin Durant and with their backs against the wall after losing the first three games, gave themselves extra life Sunday with a 115-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to take the West’s first-round playoff series to Game 5. No team in NBA history has ever won a series after losing the first three games, but Ime Udoka’s Rockets didn’t throw in the towel and extended the fight at least until next Wednesday, when the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles will host Game 5.
With Durant sitting on the bench because of a left ankle injury suffered in the second game of the series, the Houston Rockets triumphed over the Lakers led by 23 points from Amen Thompson and 20 points, eight rebounds and five steals from Tari Eason. Alperen Sengun contributed 19 points, Reed Sheppard scored 17 and Jabari Smith added 16.
Lakers without Doncic and Reaves
The Lakers, who are still without Luka Doncic, out with a hamstring injury, and Austin Reaves, who is bothering his obliques, paid for their 23 turnovers against the Houston Rockets.
Reaves was in doubt until the last minute, but ultimately did not compete after warming up on the Toyota Center track.
He is expected to return to play in the next game, while Doncic is further behind in the recovery process.
LeBron James, the hero of Game 3, was held to 10 points, four rebounds and nine assists on 2-of-9 shooting from the field in 33 minutes.
Deandre Ayton was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 19 points and ten rebounds, but ended up ejected for a flagrant foul.
The Lakers were without Luka Doncic, out with a hamstring injury, and Austin Reaves, who is bothering his oblique muscles.
The Ime Udoka-led Rockets didn't throw in the towel
QuéOnnda.com
Turnovers doom the Lakers
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The Lakers held off the Houston Rockets for a while, but ended up paying for the enormous energy drain in Game 3.
When they staged an epic comeback in the fourth period and won in overtime to put one foot in the next round.
They paid for a losing third quarter 34-18, in which they barely connected on one three-pointer out of seven attempts and in which they had as many as seven turnovers, paid for with ten points.
The Rockets shot 50 percent shooting in that segment and shot their lead to 26 units at 88-62.
Rockets dominate, Lakers react late
The Houston Rockets’ maximum lead over the Lakers reached 28 points in the fourth period.
And, with 100-77 on the scoreboard with 7.25 minutes remaining, JJ Redick pulled LeBron James off the court, virtually accepting defeat.
The young group of Lakers on the court, including Bronny James, competed with commitment and managed to cut it to 100-83.
But it was too late to open horizons of victory.
The fifth game of the series will be played this Wednesday in Los Angeles.
And whose winner will face the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns, with the reigning NBA champions up 3-0 in that series.
With information from EFE
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