The Los Angeles Lakers held serve at home in Games 1 and 2 against the Houston Rockets, but then went on the road for a pivotal Game 3. Not many people outside of the Lakers organization gave the team much of a chance to win the series, but they’ve proven the doubters wrong with how they’ve managed to match the Rockets’ physicality on both ends of the floor.
Los Angeles caught a break before Game 3 tipped off as Houston ruled out Kevin Durant with a left ankle sprain he suffered in Game 2. Without Durant, the Rockets were left without their primary scorer, though the Lakers still couldn’t afford to relax given what was at stake.
In the first quarter, Los Angeles was able to withstand Houston’s initial spurt to take an early lead. The Lakers were able to build a solid double-digit lead before their offense started to abandon them in the second quarter.
While L.A. went into halftime with the lead, the second half proved to be a slog as they couldn’t get shots to fall. After the Rockets took the lead late in the fourth quarter, it appeared the Lakers were headed for a loss before chaos ensued in the final minute.
Down by six points, Marcus Smart came up with a steal, got fouled from the 3-point line and made all three free throws. Afterward, LeBron James poked the basketball away from Reed Sheppard and later hit the game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime.
In the extra period, the two sides fought back and forth but it was the Lakers that ultimately came out with the 112-108 victory to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
James played like a man possessed against Houston, doing everything on the floor to keep Los Angeles ahead. James dove for loose basketballs, fought for rebounds and played inspired defense to set the tone for the evening.
On a night when offense was hard to come by, James found ways to score as he ended up with 29 points. He also had 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block.
Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Smart has stepped in as the lead guard and he’s been the difference in all three wins. Smart is never afraid to put his body on the line, but he also was clutch when the team needed him most.
Smart finished the evening with a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists to go along with four rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
What’s next for the Lakers
The Lakers will have a chance to close the series out on Sunday in Game 4. If they lose, though, then the series will shift back to Los Angeles on Wednesday for Game 5.
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