The Los Angeles Lakers qualified Friday for the NBA West semifinals, where they will face the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, after defeating the Houston Rockets 78-98 in Game 6 of the series (4-2).
LeBron James scored 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, and at 41 years old, he took over the team’s reigns throughout the series against the Rockets, especially with Luka Doncic out and Austin Reaves absent until Game 5.
LeBron leads against all odds
“We started the series as underdogs, with Luka and AR out.”
“But we came in with a great plan through all six games; obviously we let them get back into the playoffs in the fourth and fifth.”
“But we try to stick together even in times of adversity,” LeBron James said at the end of the duel against Rockets.
James averaged 23.1 points per game in the playoffs, in which the Lakers went on to take a 3-0 lead, surprising the entire NBA.
With the passing of the Lakers, all the Western semifinals are defined.
They will face the Los Angeles Angels and the Thunder on one side, and the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves on the other.
Already thinking about Thunder without Doncic
The playoffs between the Thunder and Lakers will kick off Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Most likely still without Doncic, with a left hamstring strain.
After missing their first two chances to advance to the next round, JJ Redick’s men came out with a clear plan on Friday.
Organized and hungrier than the Rockets to avoid Game 7.
The Lakers took command with a three-pointer by Luke Kennard with 4:21 to go in the first quarter and never looked back.
With a maximum difference of +29 in the final minutes.
Rui Hachimura added 21 points to the Lakers’ tally on 5-of-7 from the perimeter and Reaves chipped in with 15 points.
Improving his performance in his second game back from the oblique injury.
Deandre Ayton grabbed 16 rebounds, dominating the paint.
LeBron imposes leadership
“I have the most experience on the team, and the most experience in the playoffs.
“So I know how a series can go. I tried to convey that to them, to convey confidence, to go out there and play,” LeBron James explained after beating the Rockets.
LeBron James scored 28 points
QuéOnnda.com
For Houston, Amen Thompson signed 18 points, Alperen Şengun contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Tari Eason finished with 14 points. Kevin Durant played only the first game of the series, sitting out the next five with a bone bruise in his ankle.
The Rockets fall for the second consecutive year in the first round of the playoffs (4-3 against the Golden State Warriors in 2025) with a draft designed to aim for higher odds.
With information from EFE
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