LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying three-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we’re down six.”
Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead.
Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a three-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.
The 41-year-old James played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said with top scorers Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can.
“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together.”
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.
Even with Durant out for a second game in this series – this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury – the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.
Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter and the problem continued Friday night.
“It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.”
Durant wasn’t on the bench Friday night and Udoka said it was because he was receiving treatment on his injured ankle.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by 15 early, but were down six before Smart was fouled on a three-point attempt with 25 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.
“It was a smart play, and that’s part of my vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I picked up some tricks from some guys, right. So, that helped us a lot.”
James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his three-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds to go in the fourth.
Sengun missed a seven-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James’ three-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.
James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the first half, also had 13 rebounds.