Two days after a double overtime victory against the Warriors, would the Lakers have the legs to face the Rockets in Texas? The answer is no.
If D'Angelo Russell launches into a duel with Jalen Green in the first quarter (13 points each), the Californians are already giving in to the energy of Cam Whitemore. The latter, in just four minutes, scored 12 points with dunks and award-winning shots. Los Angeles is on the ropes (42-31).
The second quarter doesn't help matters. LeBron James and his teammates look tired. In any case, they are overtaken by the Rockets who are going too fast. The winning shots rained down and after a basket at the buzzer from Dillon Brooks, we were almost twenty points apart at the break (78-60). Will half-time give Darvin Ham's men some energy? Still not, since they begin this second act by conceding a 12-1. There are twelve minutes left to play and things seem to be well done (108-84). Unless…
Unless LeBron James starts the final quarter. The Lakers then arrive with better intentions. At the same time, the Rockets are losing balls. The “King” stands at 3-pts and the gap falls to ten points. We then think that Los Angeles will make a move, but the clumsiness will make the difference, in addition to Jalen Green's baskets. So no panic for Ime Udoka and his players, and logical victory (135-119) for Houston.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Jalen Green and Houston too fast. The guard was very lively and efficient with 34 points on 12/23 shooting, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Alperen Sengun almost played the same game (31 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) and the two men symbolized the domination of the Rockets. Everything was going too fast for the Lakers, in a fast-paced match, who never really slowed down their opponent.
An aborted comeback. Led by LeBron James, the Lakers attempted a big comeback in the last quarter. They made it halfway back to ten points, but “LBJ” was not supported by his lieutenants. Certainly, Jaxson Haynes was valuable, but to go under the ten mark, it would have taken baskets from D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. Both missed important shots, which ruined this attempt. Especially the first, although good at the start of the match, who did not score and returned a 0/4 on the shoot in the last act.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
