The Los Angeles Lakers took another step towards stabilising before the NBA playoffs, clinching a second consecutive victory after overcoming the Houston Rockets 104:98 in a regular season game at Crypto.com Arena. JJ Redick’s team controlled much of the second half and at this stage halted Ime Udoka’s side from securing a place in the play-offs, and ended the Rockets’ three-game winning run. The Californian team remains firmly in fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 46 wins and 29 losses, while the Rockets stay put in second with a 49-27 record.
LeBron James came up clutch in the final moments. Ten seconds before the buzzer, he blocked a Houston player’s attempt that could have cut the deficit to just 2 points, keeping the visitors alive. Seconds earlier, the 40-year-old star had calmly sunk two free throws, extending the Lakers’ lead to four. Both key interventions proved vital for a hard-earned and extremely important 104:98 win.
Luka Doncic (6 rebounds and 9 assists), Dorian Finney-Smith (6 rebounds and 6 three-pointers), and Gabe Vincent (6 made threes) each contributed 20 points for the Lakers. LeBron James followed with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Austin Reaves added 12 points and grabbed 8 boards.
Amen Thompson stood out for Houston with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Dillon Brooks had 16 points and 5 boards, Jabari Smith Jr. posted 15 points and 11 rebounds, Alperen Sengun finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Tari Eason added 13 points
On April 4 (Friday), the Lakers will play host to the Golden State Warriors, while a day earlier the Rockets will welcome the Utah Jazz.
