Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason added 20, and the Houston Rockets avoided elimination with a dominant 115-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff series Sunday night.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Los Angeles
The Rockets secured their first win of the series after falling into an 0-3 hole, doing so without Kevin Durant for a third straight game due to an ankle injury. Despite his absence, Houston delivered a balanced scoring performance.
All five starters scored at least 16 points, with Alperen Sengun contributing 19, Reed Sheppard adding 17, and Jabari Smith Jr. finishing with 16.
The Lakers were led by Deandre Ayton, who posted 19 points and 10 rebounds before being ejected in the third quarter for a flagrant foul on Sengun.
It was a tough night for LeBron James, who finished with just 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, along with nine assists and eight turnovers. The Lakers also struggled from beyond the arc, making only five three-pointers after hitting 35 combined in the first three games.
The Rockets took control early, building momentum after their heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 3. A strong third quarter, fueled by Thompson and Sheppard, helped Houston extend the lead to 90-65 heading into the fourth.
With the win, the Rockets keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Lakers will look to regroup and close out the series at home in Game 5.
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