The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought 112-108 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series. LeBron James was instrumental in the Lakers' comeback, scoring 29 points, including a crucial three-pointer that tied the game with 13 seconds left in regulation. The Lakers, led by James, Smart, and Hachimura, rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining to force overtime. In the extra period, the Lakers outscored the Rockets 11-7, ultimately emerging victorious.
The win sets up a potential series sweep on Sunday night in Houston. Coach JJ Redick praised the Lakers' resilience, saying, 'It's tough to win on the road in the playoffs, and even without KD, they're a great basketball team.' James, who played over 45 minutes, emphasized the need for the team to step up in the absence of key players.
The Rockets, despite a strong performance from Alperen Sengun, struggled to close out the game, a weakness that coach Ime Udoka acknowledged. The Lakers will look to capitalize on their momentum and complete the series sweep in the next game.