LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 112-108 on Friday night.
The win gives the Lakers a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series. Los Angeles rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can complete a sweep Sunday in Houston.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the play-offs and even without KD [Kevin Durant] they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we’re down six.”
The Lakers opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a three from Marcus Smart to take a 107-103 lead. Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds left to push the advantage to 111-105. Reed Sheppard hit a three to get Houston within three with under 30 seconds in OT, but Smart made one of two free throws to seal the 112-108 final.
James played more than 45 minutes. He said with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can. “Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together.”
Smart finished with 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 for the Lakers.
Even with Durant out for a second game in the series — this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury — the Rockets were poised to close the game after James committed consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead. Houston has struggled to finish games late in the fourth, a shortcoming coach Ime Udoka called out. “It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.”
Durant was receiving treatment on his injured ankle and did not sit on the bench Friday. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by as many as 15 early but trailed by six before Smart was fouled on a three-point attempt with 25 seconds to go following a Houston turnover and calmly sank all three free throws. “It was a smart play, and that’s part of my vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I picked up some tricks from some guys, right. So, that helped us a lot.”
James then stole the ball from Sheppard and hit the tying three to make it 101-all with 13 seconds remaining in the fourth. Sengun missed a seven-footer on the Rockets’ next trip and the Lakers had a chance to win in regulation, but James’ last-second three rattled out and sent the game to overtime.
James also grabbed 13 rebounds and threw an alley-oop to his son Bronny for a first-half basket.