Neither the golden glitter nor the glamour of Hollywood were enough to protect the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday from the Houston Rockets, who dyed Christmas red at Crypto.com Arena and put the magic of the holiday season to bed with a resounding 96-119 win.
The painful distance that ended up sentencing a clash whose outcome was felt from the unusual start that had the Angelinos, especially for those who came expecting the exhibition of Luka Doncic. Although he ended up scoring 25 points (9 of 17 shooting) and 5 rebounds, he was unable to spread his rhythm, which came late, to a team that was overcome by the visiting energy.
A gray start for Doncic
The Slovenian, who usually turns the first few minutes into his own personal stage, was caught in a sterile dynamic:
His aggressiveness did not find the prize of the net, closing a gray stretch with only 4 points that paled before his 4 turnovers.
Austin Reaves (12 points, 5 of 8 shooting) tried to make up for that scoring lapse.
To the sound of LeBron James (18 points, 7 of 13 shooting) who led the way for Los Angeles during the first quarter.
Although it ended 25-37 in favor of the Rockets.
J.J. Redick’s defensive system lacked the structural soundness with which they usually impress.
The Lakers were out of sync, unable to close the lanes against a hungry Rockets that won the race in every transition.
Doncic recovered his sensations little by little, taking over the offensive responsibility with an 11-point second quarter that stabilized his team’s direction.
Houston gives no room for reaction
Despite the awakening of the Slovenian star, which allowed the Rockets to tighten their grip on the game, the Lakers were unable to completely neutralize their opponents’ lead.
They went back to the locker room with a 10-point gap.
The Houstonians brought out the big guns for Christmas, with Kevin Durant looking impeccable:
He contributed 25 points (8 of 14 shooting and 8 assists).
Amen Thompson, the game’s leading scorer with 26 points (12 of 19 shooting and 7 rebounds), was the driving force behind any attempt at a comeback by the Angels.
They were also unforgiving of turnovers, punishing each Angelino mistake with 13 points in their favor.
The Lakers were unable to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes, which highlighted their lack of scoring ability.
A third half adrift and without brakes
The third quarter proved to be the trigger for a defeat that had been brewing since the opening round.
Reaves went to the locker room and did not return after some discomfort, which once again set off alarm bells for the American player, who was already carrying a previous injury.
A ship that was taking on water began to sink.
Although Doncic kept his finger on the pulse, the Lakers’ problem was not so much with their offense but with a defense that was ineffective in slowing down Durant.
The Christmas miracle began to turn into a nightmare at the end of the third quarter with the Rockets trailing by 18 points.
An insurmountable gap that foreshadowed a nightmare for the Angelinos that dragged on until the last quarter.
Bitter Christmas for LeBron
The bitter result tarnishes the week of James, who will blow out candles on December 30 with the thorn in the side of a Christmas tinged with red over his gold and purple house.
Although he can still make amends next December 28 against the Sacramento Kings, where he will look to turn coal into an edible asset.
With information from EFE
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