|


|
|
04/24/26 10:17:00
Printable Page
04/24 22:15 CDT James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and
take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets
James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series
lead over the Rockets
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer
with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime
and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing
Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western
Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and
can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from
Smart to take a 107-103 lead. Alperen Sengun made a basket for Houston before
Smart made two free throws to push the lead to 109-105 with 52 seconds left.
Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed
Sheppard made a 3-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.
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.
Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26
points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by as many as 15 early, but were down six in the fourth before
Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25.4 seconds to go after a Houston
turnover and made all three free throws to get the Lakers within three.
James, who had 13 rebounds, then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer
tied it at 101-all with 13.1 seconds to go in the fourth.
The Rockets had a chance to take the lead after that, but Sengun's 7-footer was
off. James grabbed the rebound and called a timeout. He grabbed the inbounds
pass and had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt bounced
off the rim to send it to OT.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
|