James hits the tying three-pointer, Smart makes a crucial play! Lakers lead 3-0 over Rockets, one step into the next round.

Today, the Lakers played against the Rockets on the road. Durant was absent due to a left ankle sprain in G2, and Reaves also couldn't play. The Rockets' starters were Sheppard, Amen, Eason, Smith, Sengun. The Lakers' starters were Smart, Kennard, Hachimura, James, Ayton.

After the start, both the Lakers and Rockets were shooting threes, combining for 4 out of 4. The Lakers' two threes came from Hachimura and James.

After the Rockets took a one-point lead, Hachimura made one free throw, then a turnaround jumper, and continued with a three-pointer! At this point, he was 3 for 3 with 9 points.

That wasn't all; Kennard fired a three-pointer, Ayton assisted Hachimura for an easy dunk, and the Lakers led 17-13 into a timeout. Hachimura alone scored 11 points.

Amen made one free throw, Laravia's layup was called an offensive foul, the Rockets scored 6 consecutive points to take the lead. James drove for a layup and shouted to the referee: That's a foul!

Kennard made both free throws, Doncic was laughing happily for some reason.

Ayton hesitated to attack, was substituted, Hayes' finish was very strong.

Hayes added another 2+1, the Lakers used double-teaming too early, Hayes stole the ball, Hachimura hit an open three-pointer.

Smart sank a three-pointer, Hayes dunked on an alley-oop, the Lakers surged with a 11-0 run, forcing a Rockets timeout.

The Rockets scored 6 straight points, Kennard countered with a fast break, Hachimura's turnaround jumper continued to score.

By the end of the first quarter, Lakers 39-32 Rockets. The Lakers shot 14 out of 22, made 14 baskets, and generated 14 assists. James had 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists; Hachimura 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal; Kennard 8 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists; Ayton 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Smart 3 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; Hayes 7 points; Laravia 1 rebound, 1 assist.

In the second quarter, the Rockets hit a three-pointer first, Bronny also played, Vanderbilt scored with a putback.

James made both free throws, the Rockets hit another three-pointer, Laravia finally scored.

Amen made both free throws, Ayton showed toughness at the free-throw line but was called for a foul.

James' shot was incredibly difficult, a running bank shot. Does it remind you of 2018, that game-winning shot against the Raptors?

James set a screen for Bronny, blocking two defenders, Bronny scored his first playoff point this year!

Later, James assisted Bronny on an alley-oop, creating history—the first father-son connection in NBA playoff history! As a child, James fed Bronny milk. Now, James feeds Bronny with passes.

James wanted a three-point foul call, the referee didn't give it, but fortunately the shot went in.

After the timeout, James scored again on a cut-and-layup, Hayes dunked on an alley-oop, playing with ease.

How relaxed were the Lakers? James passed a ball right to his mouth but he didn't take it.

The referee's whistles were too frequent, the Lakers stalled at 59 points for a long time. In the last minute-plus, James made both free throws. Ayton's pass looked like throwing a shot put, resulting in a turnover.

Halftime: Lakers 63-52 Rockets. James: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists; Hachimura: 16 points; Ayton: 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Kennard: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists; Smart: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals; Laravia: 2 points, 2 rebounds; Bronny: 5 points; Vanderbilt: 2 points, 3 rebounds; Hayes: 9 points.

During halftime, James gave Bronny a tap—court bullying?

In the third quarter, Smart scored with a clever layup.

James fell down, causing Jalen's fourth foul.

The Rockets scored consecutively, the Lakers led by only 6 points, calling a timeout. Ayton scored a two-pointer, the opponent made a 2+1, Ayton turned it over, the opponent dunked, James made one free throw. Kennard hit a mid-range shot.

Laravia was a bit off, consecutive turnovers.

The Rockets closed to within 1 point, Hachimura hit a three-pointer, finally breaking the scoring drought.

Smart made one free throw, Sengun scored with a hook shot, Jeff Green fouled Hayes, Hayes made one free throw.

James hit a three-pointer, Smart assisted Vanderbilt with a no-look pass.

The Lakers entered the fourth quarter with a 80-75 lead. Bronny continued to play, Vanderbilt assisted James.

Vanderbilt made one free throw, Jalen hit a three-pointer, Kennard made both free throws, Jalen hit another three-pointer, James and Bronny fought for the ball together, the Rockets gained possession, trailing by only 2 points.

James drove strongly against Sengun.

The Rockets tied at 87, Smart jumped for a shot, both sides tied again at 89, Smart continued with a solo score, the opponent hit a three-pointer to overtake the Lakers, Lakers called timeout.

Hayes was blocked, Amen made one free throw, Hayes missed again, Sengun scored with a hook shot, Lakers called timeout. James and Kennard both missed, Hayes and James both dunked.

Kennard's three-point shooting was off, only 1 out of 6.

James' shot was stolen, regrettable, there should have been contact on the lower limbs.

Sengun scored on a layup, leading by 4 points, last 49 seconds. Lakers turned it over, James' stamina was already fading.

The Lakers still missed, but Smart stole the ball, caused a three-point foul on the opponent, made all 3 free throws. Last 25 seconds, Lakers trailed by 3 points.

James stole the ball, sank a three-pointer, showing both offense and defense, tying the game! Oh my goodness!

Rockets timeout, Sengun missed, James grabbed the rebound, last 1.2 seconds.

LeBron missed the game-winning shot, entering overtime.

The first score came from Smart's three-pointer, another crucial play.

Hachimura made one free throw, Sengun scored on a layup, Hachimura scored on a solo drive.

Sengun continued with a two-pointer, James fought hard, another jump ball situation.

James gained possession, missed a three-pointer, but Smart grabbed the rebound and was fouled, made both free throws.

Jalen missed a three-pointer, Smart grabbed the rebound, was fouled, but also received a technical foul.

The opponent missed one free throw, Smart made both free throws, Lakers led by 6 points, last 35 seconds. Rockets hit a difficult three-pointer.

Smart was fouled and made one free throw, fought hard, fell heavily to the ground.

The Rockets continued to miss, Lakers timeout, Kennard was double-teamed, Redick calmly called a timeout.

The Lakers turned it over, last possession went out of bounds, leaving the Rockets 3.9 seconds.

The Rockets couldn't recover, the Lakers lead the series 3-0.

Final score: Lakers 112-108 Rockets. James: 29 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 block; Smart: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks; Hachimura: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Ayton: 2 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists; Kennard: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists; Hayes: 12 points, 4 rebounds; Bronny: 5 points; Laravia: 2 points, 2 rebounds; Vanderbilt: 5 points, 6 rebounds.

Full game stats: