Lakers beat Rockets in Game 1 of NBA playoff…
So a lot of the dialogue main into Saturday was about how the Lakers would face up to being without Luka Doncic (left hamstring pressure) and Austin Reaves (left indirect pressure) during their playoff collection against the Rockets.
But within 24 hours, the dynamic shifted, with Rockets star Kevin Durant popping up on the injury report because of a proper knee contusion he suffered during apply earlier in the week.
And the Lakers had been those who took benefit of their opponent lacking their main scorer, beating the Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 of their (*1*)best-of-seven first-round collection on Saturday night time at Crypto.com Arena.
So a lot of the dialogue main into Saturday was about how the Lakers would face up to being without Luka Doncic (left hamstring pressure) and Austin Reaves (left indirect pressure) during their playoff collection against the Rockets. NBAE via Getty Images
And the Lakers had been those who took benefit of their opponent lacking their main scorer, beating the Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round collection on Saturday night time at Crypto.com Arena. NBAE via Getty Images
They turned the ball over 20 instances, serving to the Rockets keep in the sport with 24 factors off those giveaways. NBAE via Getty Images
Offense didn’t come simply for the Lakers, either.
They turned the ball over 20 instances, serving to the Rockets keep in the sport with 24 factors off those giveaways.
But the Lakers’ intentionality with their offense led to 60.6% taking pictures from the sector (40 of 66) and 52.6% taking pictures from past the 3-point arc (10 of 19).
Luke Kennard led the best way with 27 factors on 9-of-13 taking pictures, making all 5 of his 3s.
LeBron James completed with 19 factors, 13 assists and eight rebounds.
All 5 Lakers starters scored at least 10 factors.
LeBron James completed with 19 factors, 13 assists and eight rebounds. NBAE via Getty Images
Deandre Ayton had a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Marcus Smart had 15 factors and eight assists and Rui Hahcimura scored 14 factors
The Lakers received despite the Rockets grabbing 21 offensive rebounds for 23 second-chance factors, outscoring them in the paint (44-40) and scoring 17 more factors off turnovers.
Alperen Sengun had 19 factors, eight rebounds and six assists, while Amen Thompson completed with 17 factors, seven rebounds and seven assists.
What it means
The Lakers are up 1-0 in a playoff collection for the first time since taking part in the Warriors in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals (second spherical).
They haven’t been up 2-0 in a collection since successful the 2020 NBA Finals against the Heat.
Deandre Ayton had a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Marcus Smart had 15 factors and eight assists and Rui Hahcimura scored 14 factors NBAE via Getty Images
Turning level
When Jake LaRavia drew an off-ball foul on Tari Eason at the five-minute mark of the third quarter.
The foul was the Rockets’ fifth for the quarter, placing the Lakers in the bonus for the rest of the third.
The Lakers shot 10 of 12 from the road from that level.
This included Kennard splitting a pair of free throws after technical fouls on Rockets wing Jae’Sean Tate and coach Ime Udoka.
The Lakers shot 11 of 15 on free throws in the third, serving to them win the quarter 25-18.
This included Kennard splitting a pair of free throws after technical fouls on Rockets wing Jae’Sean Tate and coach Ime Udoka. NBAE via Getty Images
MVP: Luke Kennard
James set the tone early with his playmaking, allotting eight first-quarter assists and 10 assists in the first half, which tied a playoff profession high for his most assists in a half.
But it was Kennard who supplied the regular dose of scoring in a sport that didn’t characteristic a lot of it for either crew.
Kennard’s scoring whole set a playoff profession high, surpassing the earlier profession high of 21 factors he scored on April 14, 2019, while with the Pistons.
That was the Rockets’ taking pictures share, highlighting how stifling the Lakers’ protection was. NBAE via Getty Images
Stat of the sport: 37.6%
That was the Rockets’ taking pictures share, highlighting how stifling the Lakers’ protection was.
It was the bottom taking pictures share the Lakers allowed in a playoff sport since April 22, 2023, against the Grizzlies.
Up next
Game 2 of the Lakers-Rockets playoff collection will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.
Durant’s standing for Game 2 wasn’t identified as of Saturday night.
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