With LeBron James, you lose track of time. He has been on the court for so long that sometimes you forget how old he is. He continues to do amazing things like the second win in the series against the Rockets: 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists playing 39 minutes, flying to dunk, with an enormous physical display… All this reaches another dimension when you remember that he is 41 years old.
The myth commanded the Lakers’ 101-94 victory that puts them 2-0 up before the series travels to Houston. He is holding the fort for his depleted team while waiting for reinforcements, which hopefully will arrive in time. According to journalist Shams Charania, Austin Reaves’ recovery is further along than Luka Doncic’s. The shooting guard has begun to do 1-on-1 work and could return at the end of this first series. The point guard is not expected until the second, if the Lakers get there.
Their chances have increased considerably after the two games played in Los Angeles. In the second game, the home bench scored only six points, but Marcus Smart stood out, especially in the second win, scoring 25 points (5/7 three-pointers) while setting the tone in the direction of play and the usual intensity.
Luke Kennard also took a step forward. In the first game of the series, he scored 27 points with five three-pointers without missing. This time, 23 with 3/6 from the arc. Between the two of them they scored 24 points in the first quarter.
Durant’s return is not enough
The Rockets were not satisfied with the return of Kevin Durant, who missed the first game with a right knee contusion. He scored 23 points, but only three of them came in a second half in which he was put under a lot of pressure by the Lakers’ defense. He lost nine balls. In the duel of megastars with LeBron, replaying their meetings in the finals of 2012, 2017 and 2018, he came off badly.
The Rockets’ image was not good, reflecting the doubts of the whole season. They shot 40.4% from the field and made only seven three-pointers, an outside shooting threat that has been almost non-existent throughout the course of Houston’s season. Alperen Sengun scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but it was enough.
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