HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers are in front 87-83 with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
Los Angeles, already up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series after home wins of 101-98 and 94-87, is shooting 52 percent from the field while limiting Houston to 39 percent. The visitors have led for 93 percent of the night and held a margin as large as 15 points.
Key performers
- Lakers forward LeBron James: 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds and 5-of-6 from the line.
- Forward Rui Hachimura: 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
- Guard Luke Kennard: 14 points, 4-of-10 from three-point range.
- Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.: 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
- Center Alperen Şengün: 19 points, 10 rebounds and two offensive boards on the same possession that preceded Houston’s latest timeout.
- Guard Amen Thompson: 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Houston stopped play with a full timeout immediately after Marcus Smart was whistled for a personal foul on Şengün’s second put-back attempt. The Rockets own a 38-32 advantage on the glass and are 16-of-20 at the free-throw line, compared with the Lakers’ 15-of-21.
Injury report
- Lakers: Guard Austin Reaves (oblique) is out until at least April 26; guard Luka Dončić (hamstring) is sidelined through May 1.
- Rockets: Forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is expected back April 26; center Steven Adams (ankle) and guard Fred VanVleet (knee) remain out.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Houston. If necessary, the series will shift back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Source: ESPN
