The Los Angeles Lakers seized a 112-108 overtime win against the Houston Rockets on the road Friday night, moving ahead 3-0 in their Western Conference first-round series.
Houston declared Kevin Durant out before tip-off with a left ankle sprain suffered in Game 2, leaving the Rockets without their top scorer. Los Angeles capitalized early, building a double-digit cushion in the first quarter, but its offense stalled in the second period and again after halftime.
Trailing by six in the final minute of regulation, Marcus Smart sparked a dramatic turnaround. The guard picked off a pass, drew a foul on a three-point attempt and converted all three free throws. Seconds later, LeBron James stripped Reed Sheppard and drilled a game-tying three-pointer to force overtime.
The extra session featured several lead changes until James and Smart delivered the decisive plays that sealed the Lakers’ victory.
Key Performers
LeBron James: 29 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Marcus Smart: 21 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 blocks
Series Outlook
Los Angeles can close out the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday. A Rockets win would send the series back to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Source: LakersNation.com
