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00:00Шак, Kenny and Charles, they've had a long day. They've got a lot to say. Two quarters complete here in Los Angeles. Rockets leading the Lakers 63-53 here on Christmas Day.
00:30Let's give it, I need you to sing it.
00:38By the shelf, my man.
00:40Close, close, close.
00:43Say hi, say hi.
00:44You're gonna stop, yo, come on.
00:47You're gonna stop, White, come on.
00:50Simon, Simon.
00:53To the paint.
00:55Last second, Vanderbilt.
00:57Yeah!
01:01As we welcome you back to NBA Christmas, presented by State Farm Halftime in Los Angeles.
01:07Rockets leading the Lakers 63-53.
01:12Time for our first half stats brought to you by Google Gemini.
01:16The two stars got off to slow starts with strong second quarters.
01:20Durant made his last six shots after beginning 0 for 4.
01:24Donchich had a lot of turnovers early, but finished strong and has 15.
01:28And hi again, everyone.
01:30And Merry Christmas.
01:31Along with Tim Legler and our buddy the Elf, Richard Jefferson, will be joined by Lisa Salters as well.
01:37Kevin Durant sometimes, because LeBron James is doing things at an advanced age.
01:42He's 37, okay?
01:45And he's averaging 25 a game and shooting 50, 40, and 90.
01:49And this looks a lot like what we showed you before the game, and he missed his first four.
01:53Richard, you said he forgot about that already, and here's the result of that.
01:57The next six go in two of those from deep.
02:00Well, and that's the thing.
02:01When you play against Kevin Durant, even if he misses a couple, you know your job's not done.
02:05But you said he's got that seven-foot height.
02:07He's got the wingspan, so once he gets those feet set, he knows he can elevate.
02:12And if you are a smart defender, you stay down, because the only thing you can do is foul him.
02:17You're not going to block it.
02:19Marcus Smart will bring it up.
02:21Smart did not start the game.
02:23We thought he was going to be out for a while.
02:25It looked like he really injured his shoulder, but fortunately came back shortly thereafter.
02:30Well, if you make this change to your starting lineup, because you need more defensive intensity.
02:34Oh, Eason, another strong play defensively.
02:37Eason getting his second start.
02:46Cangguin setting the screen.
02:48Ayton comes up on Durant, who floats it over.
02:50James knocks it away, but called for a reach-in foul.
02:52That's going to be his third.
02:53And if you're DeAndre Ayton, you get this solo block with...
02:58or you get this solo pass, and you have a small coming over, you have to go up strong.
03:03You've got to go through the body.
03:05I know how skilled you are, but there are certain physicality plays.
03:08Coming out in the second half, a small comes over and gets a block.
03:12That should infuriate you to play more aggressive.
03:15Now, Austin Reeves obviously started the game for the Lakers.
03:19He's right now, he's not on the bench.
03:21Remember, Reeves just was out with a calf injury, returned just the other night, came off the bench.
03:26He's on a minute's restriction as Cangguin nails that one.
03:29Yeah, it's amazing how he slows everything down when he catches the ball right there.
03:33And DeAndre Ayton has to give the help on the initial action.
03:36So by the time Cangguin catches it, he's got six, eight feet to make up.
03:39And Cangguin can just operate at will one-on-one in that area.
03:42Rockets back up by 12. They started hot in the first quarter.
03:47Not a good decision there. Last touched by the Lakers, 11 turnovers.
03:53And you see the space that Ayton had to give him because he was giving help initially.
03:57And Cangguin knows if you're not going to bring a second defender,
04:00he has an array of shots that he can go to down there.
04:03He loves that one-legged lean back jumper.
04:06Got you, it's guarding Kevin Durant.
04:10Durant gets inside. Lost it.
04:14But it's still Rockets ball. Five to shoot.
04:21Rockets trying to end what's been a frustrating road trip.
04:24Again, as we said earlier, three of the first five games on the road trip,
04:29they lost in overtime. Nice pass. Thompson can't finish.
04:33Couldn't get it again, but Durant can.
04:35Throws it inside of Eason. Quick release.
04:37Throws it up, and then Eason in double figures.
04:40Legs, they are not getting a lot of 50-50 balls.
04:43I understand that there's offensive rebound.
04:45That's height, that's length.
04:46But a lot of these balls are getting tossed around, getting knocked around,
04:49and it's just the Rockets are coming up with it every time.
04:52Doncic, fake, fire, and connect.
04:55Luka Doncic now with 18 points.
04:59Durant's got Hachimura on him now.
05:08Ayton picks him up on the switch.
05:10Durant, plenty of room.
05:12And that's what you don't want to do if you're Lakers.
05:14Kevin Durant knocks down another.
05:16He's got 19. He's now hit seven straight shots.
05:20Just a comfort zone for Kevin Durant.
05:22Coming off knowing if DeAndre Ayton is backpedaling,
05:25he's inside the three-point line.
05:27Durant can get that shot off any time he wants.
05:30Hachimura has not scored yet tonight.
05:34That's a tough turnaround.
05:36That won't go.
05:37Ayton tips it, but right to Thompson.
05:40Ben Thompson with 16 first half points.
05:52Jabari Smith.
05:53That's a three.
05:54Smith shooting a career-high 37% from three this year.
05:58Nails that one.
05:59That one.
06:00And this is the largest lead of the game.
06:02Timeout Lakers.
06:03What a start for the Rockets here on the third.
06:06Kevin Durant picking up where he left off the start to half.
06:11Three-point shot over DeAndre Ayton.
06:13And then KD trusted his teammate Jabari Smith giving the Rockets a cushion.
06:28Welcome back to Los Angeles.
06:29For the Lakers, Austin Reeves did not come out of the locker room after halftime.
06:33The Lakers have now told us that Reeves is out for the rest of this game with left calf soreness.
06:39Reeves missed three games earlier this month because of a calf strain.
06:44He did return on Tuesday night.
06:46Came off the bench against Phoenix.
06:48When I spoke with him pregame, he said he felt good, thought that he was in a good spot,
06:52and felt that he would get more minutes tonight.
06:54But now he must have re-aggravated that injury.
06:56He will not return.
06:58Mike?
06:59Yeah, thanks, Lisa.
07:00Clearly, as Doncic gets inside, clearly they don't want to take any chances.
07:04Those calf injuries can turn into weeks and weeks.
07:08And it is.
07:09That's one of the things that's difficult.
07:10But for the Lakers, they just give the ball to LeBron James.
07:13They got LeBron and Luka.
07:14So it's more about, in this game, defensively, how do the Lakers adjust?
07:19He said misses that.
07:20Gets the rebound right now.
07:21The Lakers playing some zone.
07:22And they went zone, which is one way to combat the Rockets initially defensively,
07:28but it also makes it much more difficult to protect your own defensive glass
07:31because you don't have a set assignment to block out.
07:34And Houston takes advantage of that.
07:38Hachimora picks it up.
07:40The Rockets are shooting 59% from the field.
07:44Smith with the rebound.
07:47The game on Tuesday that they lost was perhaps their worst defensive game of the season.
07:51Lost to the Suns.
07:52The Sun shot 59% from the field.
07:55Scored 132 points.
07:56Both opponents season highs.
07:58But they're doing better defensively tonight.
08:01Can't go not to Thompson.
08:03And Thompson can't hit.
08:06Oh!
08:07Decent call for a foul.
08:09Yeah, look, this is a big part of what they want to do.
08:15The Lakers came out in a zone, a soft zone.
08:18And as you can see, Thompson's on the baseline.
08:20There was no assignment to block him out.
08:22So he gets the tip, leads to a second possession.
08:25And the Rockets do that better than any team in this league.
08:29Legs, I have no problem with saying this team is long, athletic.
08:32The Houston Rockets, they hit the glass.
08:34But there is a ton of missed box outs.
08:36You have to give second and third effort.
08:38And you're just not seeing that from the Lakers on the glass.
08:41Dodgers foul.
08:42Comes up short.
08:44But he'll go back to the free throw line.
08:47Again, the Rockets, they're the number one offensive rebounding team in the NBA.
08:51And it's interesting that despite the fact that they're the fifth best shooting team,
08:56normally the teams that are one of the better offensive rebounders are teams that shoot poorly.
09:01Well, they don't shoot a high volume of those threes.
09:04And when they do miss them, they typically just go get them again.
09:08Notch, it's missing the first.
09:11Crowd has become very quiet.
09:13Well, and the Lakers didn't do anything to get them excited out of the locker room to start this half.
09:19You know, it's 10 at halftime.
09:20It felt like it could have been worse.
09:22And the Rockets are a team that aren't going to necessarily run away from you
09:26because they're not going to bombard you with threes.
09:28But the Lakers came off very passive, very soft defensively.
09:32And the Rockets found a rhythm pretty quickly.
09:35Missing two free throws certainly doesn't help.
09:39Thompson sees an opening.
09:41Drives inside.
09:42Blocked by Hachimura.
09:43But caught it off the backboard and a goaltend.
09:48Well, you should not be able to just operate one-on-one from 28 feet out.
09:53Get to the rim before you ever see a second defender in the picture.
09:57That should not be all your responsibility.
09:59Yes, you want to keep the ball in front if you're Hachimura,
10:01but you also expect somebody to be there to step into that driving lane.
10:05Smart, corner three.
10:08Can't get it.
10:09Cangoon, good boxing out.
10:11Throws it ahead.
10:12Jabari Smith.
10:14Smith drives inside.
10:16Backup won't go, but a foul.
10:18And the Rockets looking to add to what's their largest lead of the night.
10:22A 19-point advantage.
10:24Here we go, gentlemen.
10:26Ine Udoka has done such a fabulous job since taking over.
10:30The year before, he took over.
10:32They won 22 games.
10:35He said, how is it?
10:36What was the key for him?
10:37He had to change the culture.
10:39He said it was easy because they weren't winning.
10:41They wanted to listen quick.
10:43Right.
10:44And he won 41 games his first year.
10:45Last year, 52 games.
10:47They were the number two seed in the West.
10:49And this year, although they're struggling last week or so,
10:53one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
10:57And that guy added to the roster certainly doesn't hurt for sure.
11:01Well, when you add a bone, if they had an elite defense,
11:04they knew that they had a very talented team,
11:06but you had to go get that one guy that can close games for you.
11:10And they gave up good pieces to go get Kevin Durant.
11:12But if Kevin Durant's available and you can add him to an elite defensive team,
11:16you have a juggernaut.
11:17Well, right now there's some Christmas quiet here in L.A.
11:21The 21-point lead for the visitors.
11:23LeBron James in and out.
11:25James has only taken five shots in 23 minutes.
11:28As eight points, five assists.
11:30Shang-Goon goes at eight and.
11:32Stops, gathers, and is fouled.
11:36It has been a rough defensive game.
11:39Belize Lakers.
11:44So Shang-Goon, the line, and J.J. Redick with Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks.
11:49He's going to challenge.
12:00Right now the foul on Aiton would be his third.
12:03They'll take a timeout.
12:04Right now it's all Rockets trying to end their long road trip.
12:08They've got a 21-point lead.
12:10The offensive player, Shang-Goon, loses the ball prior to the marginal contact by the defender
12:27agent.
12:28Therefore, we have a successful challenge by Los Angeles.
12:31The ball goes out of bounds, so imminent possession will be to Los Angeles with 24 on
12:35the shot clock.
12:36And they have an additional challenge for the remainder of the game.
12:39So a good challenge by J.J. Redick.
12:41He clearly lost the ball before the contact, but I don't know if the shot to the head is
12:46marginal contact.
12:47Oh, but the ball was already gone.
12:49Look, no blood, no foul.
12:50I think we've lost that.
12:51The league needs to get a little bit tougher.
12:53That's how legs used to play.
12:54That's right.
12:56There was no marginal contact terminology.
12:59Well, right now you guys both feel, Lakers needs some kind of spark.
13:03They just, they don't have that spark right now.
13:05And I think that's why prior to the last timeout, they went right there.
13:08They went with Florabia and Vanderbilt, just trying to make it more about will and less
13:13about skill right now.
13:14There has to be somebody that stands up and tries to provide some resistance defensively,
13:19because everything Houston's doing right now is just in a comfort zone.
13:23And that turnover number 12 for the Lakers.
13:27Shingun against Aiton, back up top.
13:29Durant right back to Shingun.
13:33Drives on Aiton.
13:34Aiton playing well on that one.
13:36Shot misses.
13:37Ball tipped.
13:38Jabari Smith can't get it.
13:39Second one is good.
13:40And all five starters now in double figures for the Rockets.
13:43The lead is ballooned at 23.
13:56LeBron James guarded by Thompson.
14:00James eight points in 24 minutes.
14:02Shot clock winding down.
14:03Goes inside.
14:04Nice left hand move.
14:05And he's in double figures.
14:09What a big uphill climb right now for the Lakers.
14:15Rockets have led the entire game.
14:23Thompson.
14:24Oh, nice move inside.
14:25Struggled a bit.
14:26And gets it to go.
14:27Beautiful shot from Ruffin Thompson.
14:30He's got 20.
14:32Doncic kicked it, but right to James.
14:35James gets inside.
14:36Can't get it.
14:37Shingun with his 10th rebound.
14:39And he traveled.
14:42Shingun looked up.
14:44Saw Kevin Durant streaking up the left sideline.
14:47And he made eye contact.
14:48He thought about throwing it.
14:50I think that pass would have been intercepted.
14:52So by the time he tried to adjust, it was too late.
14:55Like he's looking up the floor right there at Durant.
14:57But he thinks that Vanderbilt is going to recover and get a piece.
15:00He tries to then go to Thompson, but he gets caught with a few steps.
15:05And after that first tough quarter by the Lakers,
15:07they outscored Houston in the second quarter by two,
15:10taking some momentum in the second half.
15:12But the score is 7 to 20 here in this third quarter.
15:18James gets inside.
15:19Another nice left-handed shot from James.
15:24Lakers are shooting 50% from the field.
15:27The defense has killed them in the turnovers.
15:29I mean, you can't erase a deficit unless you string together stops.
15:33I'm not sure the Lakers have had even consecutive possessions in this quarter where they've gotten a stop.
15:38So Cody, LaRavia defended it well.
15:43Seen some contact there.
15:44Ball last touched.
15:46And they'll keep it this end with 2.5 remaining.
15:50But they didn't reset the shot clock.
15:52They should have.
15:53It appeared that it hit the rim.
15:56Right now it says 2.5.
15:58He didn't jump very high, but I believe it did hit the rim.
16:05He goes up to get the dunk.
16:08Doesn't quite get high enough, but it does hit the rim.
16:11Josh Okoji, a nice addition.
16:14Not one of those big headline additions, but you start a bunch of game.
16:18Bad pass from Durant, stolen by Dacic.
16:20Okoji in pursuit.
16:21Dacic wards evolve and scores easily.
16:24Shepard Adams, Okoji, Durant, and Finney Smith.
16:35Shepard had some good minutes in that first half.
16:42Find some room.
16:46Such a smooth looking jumper.
16:48And he elevates so high on that shot.
16:50That's why he's so comfortable in that area of the floor.
16:52He's gotten so much better at manipulating the ball off of a ball screen.
16:56And that's one of the reasons you've seen a big uptick in minutes.
16:59And his confidence has continued to grow.
17:02LaRavia, his floaters up.
17:04That misses.
17:05Adams tips it, but tips it out of bounds.
17:07Lakers will get it back.
17:09Substitution.
17:10Smart's going to come in for LeBron James.
17:12Yeah, this is Reed Shepard.
17:14Like right now, he's doing a lot more of this.
17:16Like getting to the split off of the defense on the ball screen.
17:19And then he loves that area about 15 feet because he gets off the ground so high.
17:24He was more comfortable with that shot than the three-point shot initially here in his career.
17:29Smart goes right at Durant.
17:32Strip.
17:33Good hands from Kevin Durant.
17:35Thirteen Laker turnovers.
17:39Vanderbilt trying to pester Durant.
17:44Now LaRavia picks him up.
17:47Durant says go through.
17:49He wants to take LaRavia.
17:50Seven on the 24.
17:51Kicks it out in the corner.
17:54Koji tried to draw a foul.
17:57Ball out of bounds.
17:58Shot clock.
18:00Expired.
18:01Jimmy Capers is going to put, I think, some tenths of a second on.
18:06And Kevin Durant, he knows what he's doing.
18:08He's going to use that body, absorb the contact, and then just great hands there.
18:14He even has the ability to go up and contest.
18:16But Kevin Durant, he's never been a guy that you could just attack at on the defensive end because of his length and ability.
18:22Four tenths of a second.
18:24Kick it out.
18:25Catch and shoot.
18:26Koji gets it off the time.
18:27Just grazes the rim.
18:31Under three to play.
18:32What has been a terrific third quarter for the Rockets.
18:35Smart to Aiton.
18:37Aiton gets it to go.
18:39This is third field goal.
18:41And J.J. Redick often talks in increments in a game.
18:44And right now he's saying, let's get this thing to 15 or less by the end of the quarter.
18:48And then you hope for the first few minutes of the fourth you can get into a situation where maybe you can cut it to ten.
18:53But it starts down here.
18:54Stringing together stops.
18:56Of course, Lakers without Austin Reeves for the rest of the game.
18:59Dangerous pass.
19:00Vanderbilt deflects it out.
19:02Five left on the 24 for the Rockets.
19:07Chengduin will check back in.
19:09Duran.
19:10Duran sits down.
19:11Nineteen points.
19:12Five assists.
19:21Smith.
19:22Back to Shepard.
19:23Shepard pulls up.
19:24Jump shot.
19:25Won't go but a foul.
19:26Vanderbilt hit him.
19:28And two free throws to Reed Shepard.
19:32Shepard last year is a rookie.
19:34Average just over four points per game.
19:37This year he's averaging 13 points per game.
19:39Last year he shot from three point range 34.
19:42This year 44.
19:43Just a great growth for him as we go to Lisa.
19:46Yeah, Mike.
19:47Well, before the game, Reed was talking about how special it is to be playing in his very first Christmas Day game because he says it's something he remembers watching with his family growing up.
19:56He said the tradition was for his family to go to his mamaw's house.
20:00That's his grandmother in Kentucky.
20:02They would open gifts to watch NBA games together all day.
20:05So for him to be playing today and with Kevin Durant, he said, as a teammate, it's just super cool.
20:10And Reed is obviously not with his family today, but I'm sure they're back in Kentucky watching.
20:15So how cool it must be for them now watching Reed.
20:19No question about it, Lisa.
20:21It's every when you talk to the players about when they were kids.
20:25They all have a certain play they remember as they're sitting there watching dreaming about one day playing on Christmas Day when they're kids.
20:33There is nothing like it in my opinion in American sports.
20:36The opportunity to play with all of the world watching.
20:39And then Thompson can't get it.
20:41Steven Adams can't hold on to the rebound.
20:44And the Lakers get a little run here.
20:47Crowd, you can feel like they want anything to happen.
20:55Largest deficit was 23.
20:58It's like six points off that.
21:00Donchich thought he was fouled.
21:02Looks like there was contact there.
21:03Saved by Smith.
21:04Adams has it.
21:05Shepard to Thompson.
21:06Thompson inside lays it up and in.
21:09So quick and so agile.
21:12It's back up to 19.
21:15Javari Smith with the foul.
21:25It's only the third team foul.
21:27So it'll be side out.
21:29Luca having some words right now with the official.
21:32He got this call second ago, but this was the other play.
21:34You can see Steven Adams definitely made contact with his left arm.
21:37And Luca is just used to getting that call.
21:40And when you don't get it against a team like Houston that has an athlete like Almond Thompson,
21:45it's going to lead to two points the other way.
21:47Donchich falling away.
21:48Can't get it.
21:49Vanderbilt's tip won't go.
21:50Still alive.
21:51Aiden comes down on it.
21:52And back up and in.
21:57And they continue to shoot 50% from the field.
21:59It's still down by 17.
22:01Final minute third quarter.
22:03Devari Smith.
22:08Good looking jumper there.
22:10Everything looks good for Houston right now.
22:13Everything that they're trying to accomplish.
22:15The Lakers have not taken them out of anything.
22:17They went zone.
22:18Gave up an offensive rebound.
22:20You've got to make players miss.
22:22Not hope they miss.
22:24Donchich floats it over to Vanderbilt.
22:26Laravia in the corner.
22:27Step back.
22:28Tries a three pointer.
22:29That's good.
22:30Laravia's been struggling shooting threes recently,
22:32but cuts the lead to 16.
22:36Lakers now 9 of 24.
22:40Get a stop and a bucket to close the quarter.
22:43You get it under that 15 point margin
22:45that we just talked about.
22:47And then Thompson.
22:49Dodgett keeps him in front.
22:51The spin.
22:52Help from Aiden.
22:53Shingun looks up at the shot clock.
22:55Thompson as the shot clock expires.
22:57Puts it up and in.
22:5924 points from N. Thompson.
23:0418 point lead.
23:06Donchich fires away.
23:10Blocked by Smith.
23:11And the third quarter comes to an end.
23:14Houston Rockets.
23:16Right now an 18 point lead as we head to the fourth quarter here in L.A.
23:21Christmas time is coming.
23:24Christmas time is near.
23:27Time for everything.
23:29State Farm markets.
23:30It's an 18 point deficit going into the fourth.
23:32We gotta go out and make it as ugly as possible.
23:36You know they're hitting everything on every aspect of every level.
23:39So we gotta muck it up a little bit.
23:41What was giving you problems in that third quarter?
23:43Offensive rebounds and turnovers.
23:45Good luck in the fourth.
23:46Thank you.
23:47Bye.
23:48Alright Lisa.
23:49Smart out on the floor.
23:50As we open up the fourth quarter.
23:5218 point hole for the Lakers.
23:54Rockets shooting 57 percent from the field.
23:57Shepard misses.
23:58Shangoon another offensive rebound.
24:00Jabari Smith in and out.
24:02Rebound battle.
24:03LaRavia trying to save it but he stepped out of bounds.
24:06They just put so much pressure on the glass.
24:09They do.
24:10And look.
24:11My late great coach Lou Dolson.
24:13He said this is going to be one of the games that the guards have to get five rebounds.
24:17The Lakers have one player with five rebounds and that's Luka.
24:21LeBron, Rui, Aiton.
24:23Aiton has two rebounds.
24:24You can't have that against that elite team.
24:26It's got to be a collective team effort.
24:29Aiton goes inside and it knocked away.
24:31There's a lot of contact there.
24:32Aiton thought he was fouled.
24:33Here comes James.
24:34Barrels down.
24:35Lays it up and in.
24:36A good way for the Lakers to start here on this fourth.
24:41They've been down by double figures the entire second half.
24:44Largest lead again 23.
24:49Remember no Austin Reeves.
24:52Re-injured that calf.
24:53Don't know how serious it is but he's not going to return.
24:55Did not come out after the halftime.
25:01Three-pointer from Eason won't go.
25:03Loose ball foul against the Lakers.
25:08It's a great decision here by LaRavia.
25:10He knows LeBron's coming down the middle of the floor.
25:11Give it to him now.
25:12It allows him then to take one hard dribble.
25:15Read the floor.
25:16If they cut him off he would have kicked it back to LaRavia.
25:18Instead he gets all the way to the rim.
25:20How many times have you seen that camera shot of him floating to the rim and laying it up and in?
25:25Yeah most of the time he used to be a dunk.
25:28This is interesting here for the Lakers because the biggest guy in the floor for them is LeBron James.
25:32And you've got Steven Adams and Shengun on the floor at the same time.
25:3624 second violation.
25:3812th turnover for the Rockets.
25:40Both teams the same amount.
25:41Donchich right now on the bench.
25:43He's got 25.
25:44He's already played 30 minutes.
25:58James wants it.
25:59Drives on Shengun.
26:00Nearly falls down.
26:01Barrels in.
26:02Somehow he got the shot off.
26:04But Adams got the rebound off the miss.
26:08Shepard.
26:09Good.
26:10Quick move inside.
26:11Left handed.
26:12Bags it in.
26:13And a foul.
26:14Reed Shepard with a chance for a three-point play.
26:17That was nice.
26:18And that's that athleticism we were talking about.
26:21He goes to a different gear right here.
26:23Once he gets downhill he knows that he's going to have to switch hands mid-air.
26:27But he hung in the air a long time, RJ, on that to get the end one.
26:32Where's number 15.
26:33His dad, a Kentucky Hoops hero.
26:35Jeff was the most outstanding player of the final four in 98 for the Wildcats.
26:41He also wore 15 at Kentucky.
26:43It was a year I graduated high school.
26:45And now you're watching their kids.
26:47These players that were 20 years old and now their kids are becoming elite NBA players.
26:52It is definitely a changing of guard.
26:56Lead back up to 19.
26:58It's our Easton who has played so well.
27:01Gordon there.
27:02Now Smith on Hachimura.
27:04James.
27:05Guarded by Shingun.
27:06Drives inside.
27:07And banks it in.
27:09Well behind James.
27:10Beautiful move.
27:11Man, we've seen some finishes today at the rim between Thompson, the one we just showed from Shepard.
27:18But that right there is the best of the day in terms of using body control and still being able to get something up there soft to go in.
27:26The guy who's gonna be 41 in five days.
27:29Shingun floats it up.
27:30That one doesn't go.
27:31Ball tipped out.
27:32Eason has it.
27:33Eason the crossover.
27:35Finds Adams.
27:36Adams lost it.
27:37And the Lakers will get it back.
27:39I mean, this is an incredible degree of difficulty on this.
27:43Steven Adams.
27:44That's perfect timing.
27:45Full extension.
27:46And LeBron just had to be a little bit better to get to the other side.
27:50Here he goes again.
27:51Came up short.
27:52He's upset.
27:53Very upset.
27:54Thought he got fouled.
27:55Looked like there was some contact.
27:56Shepard up top.
27:57Shingun.
27:58Shingun kicks it out.
27:59Eason wide open.
28:00Sets.
28:01Fires.
28:02Can't hit.
28:03Laravia does a good job holding off Adams.
28:05But he touched it last.
28:07LeBron's frustrated right now talking to the official.
28:10He's gotta get back.
28:11And here, yes, on that right arm you get, or excuse me, on that left arm it gets swiped down.
28:16He normally, why are you looking at me like that?
28:17I didn't see a whole lot.
28:18You didn't see?
28:19Well, we don't have time for replay, but I guarantee it.
28:22Lucky.
28:23We'll find time.
28:24Okay.
28:25Durant.
28:26Five of the 24.
28:28Durant fires away.
28:29Three pointer.
28:30Won't go.
28:31Knocked out of bounds.
28:32Last touch by Shingun.
28:43Just over three minutes gone by here in the fourth.
28:48Up until Tuesday.
28:49Lakers hadn't lost back to back games all season.
28:52Right now.
28:53Looking at a three game losing streak.
28:55If you don't have this comeback.
28:57Durant down low.
28:59Find Smith and Smith with a flush.
29:02Dovary Smith now with 14 points.
29:06Just great balance from the Rockets.
29:09Hachimura can't hit.
29:12Shot blocked from behind.
29:14Tari Eason.
29:15Another good defensive play.
29:23And LeBron James goes in.
29:25Rockets just stopped playing defense on that sequence.
29:28And a timeout call by Imi Udoku who's not happy with his team.
29:31Although he likes the score.
29:36NBA Christmas is presented by State Farm.
29:39Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
29:43And in part by Taco Bell.
29:45You asked.
29:46We answered.
29:47The Quesarito is back now.
29:55College football playoff continues.
29:56Quarterfinals on ESPN and ESPN at New Year's Eve.
29:59Miami against Ohio State.
30:01The Cotton Bowl at 730 Eastern.
30:02New Year's Day.
30:03Oregon takes on Texas Tech.
30:04The Orange Bowl at noon.
30:05Then Alabama, Indiana.
30:07The Rose Bowl.
30:08Recap the night.
30:09Ole Miss and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
30:15Now four minutes gone by here in the fourth.
30:17Rockets have been in control most of the game.
30:19Lakers have made some runs.
30:23Smith kicks it out.
30:25And then Thompson.
30:27Adams another offensive rebound.
30:29That's 14 offensive boards for the Rockets.
30:32They average over 16 per game.
30:34Durant.
30:35Hits a three.
30:36Kevin Durant now with 22.
30:38They've got 14 offensive rebounds.
30:40The Lakers total have 22.
30:42Let's put that in perspective.
30:46They are, many feel the best rebounding team in all of basketball.
30:49Certainly offensive boards.
30:52Gaines against Durant.
30:59Larabia makes his move on Smith.
31:01Goes inside.
31:02Cut off Smith.
31:03Good job defensively.
31:04And a turnover.
31:05Number 14.
31:06Eason.
31:07Durant.
31:08Up to Thompson.
31:09And down it goes.
31:10Beautiful teamwork off the defense.
31:12And it's right back up to 22.
31:14I was going to take that, but I figured I should probably let you.
31:18I was going to wait.
31:19I was going to wait for the replay.
31:20What's that feel like?
31:21It feels really good.
31:22Made up his mind in the air like how he wanted to finish that.
31:26Smart.
31:27Lost it.
31:28Vanderbilt tries.
31:29And Vanderbilt, it's another corner three.
31:30He's at three of those.
31:31If you want to look for a positive spot for the Lakers tonight.
31:34Well, if they're going to rely on this three-point shooting of Jared Vanderbilt to keep them in the game, I think there's a bigger problem.
31:44But no, no doubt he has played exceptionally well tonight.
31:47And he's made plays with his defense.
31:49He's made plays with his offensive rebounding and slashing.
31:52But here's what Houston is going to do to you thinking of turnover.
31:56Ahmed Thompson just caught that, turned, looked down in the rim, and then finished.
32:01Well, he looked to see how he was going to finish first.
32:03That's what's kind of scary about that type of athleticism.
32:0626 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and an offensive foul.
32:12Vanderbilt being an irritant right there again.
32:15Just taking away all the space and freedom for Kevin Durant on the perimeter.
32:19And Durant, a little frustrated, just pushes off.
32:22Tried to get the basketball, and a turnover is forced.
32:25So, Durant picking up his first.
32:28So, Emei Udoka, he was not happy the other night after they lost to the Clippers.
32:33He said it was our worst game by far, effort-wise.
32:36And that's the only thing you care about as a coach.
32:38Shots falling, different things happen.
32:40Your effort is something that you can control.
32:42And they've been one of the best effort teams in the league.
32:45Effort's been back tonight.
32:46Although Smart gets to the basket, lays it in.
32:48Thompson pushing up the floor.
32:50It's been a great game, effort-wise, by the Rockets tonight.
32:5417-point lead.
32:55We poached the midway point.
32:56Little sidestep.
32:57And then throws it to the Rockets bench.
33:00And you talked about that effort and what Udoka was looking for.
33:03It's why we said this was a big game.
33:05Because not just that they've been losing lately, both teams.
33:08It's because the tone has to be different.
33:10It has been tonight for the Rockets.
33:12I don't think I can say the same thing about the Lakers in terms of their defensive effort.
33:16Smart somehow gets it back and bangs it in.
33:19How about that move from Marcus Smart?
33:21So seven straight points right back to 15.
33:28Still 541 remaining.
33:33No such thing as an insurmountable lead in the NBA.
33:35Although, Lakers are not but a good three-point shooting team this season.
33:42Shot clock winding down.
33:44Smith lost it.
33:45Got it back.
33:46Puts it up.
33:47Puts it in.
33:49Yavari Smith now at 16.
33:54The balance excellent.
33:56Thompson with 26.
33:57Grant 22.
33:59Six players in double figures.
34:01DeAndre Ayton.
34:03Had to go in on the lob pass from Doncic.
34:07At this point in time, you gotta take it.
34:09You gotta take it.
34:10It wasn't the smoothest.
34:11And they've connected on that lob.
34:12But right now, Luka's not getting anything easy.
34:14The pick-up point.
34:15He's got multiple defenders guarding him at a half-court.
34:18Vanderbilt extends out on Durant.
34:22Trying to poke it away.
34:25Good move there from Vanderbilt.
34:27Eason gets it back.
34:28Can't hit it.
34:29LaRavia corrals the rebound.
34:31The Lakers have one more run at him.
34:34Good defense from Eason.
34:37He has been disrupting the Lakers all night.
34:40LaRavia the drive.
34:42Kicks it out.
34:43Vanderbilt's gonna try this corner.
34:45That one go.
34:46And then Jabari Smith with a rebound.
34:48They are plus 19 on the boards.
34:5252!
34:5352!
34:5452!
34:5552!
34:5652!
34:5752!
34:5852!
34:59LeBron James set the check back in.
35:01Now this is Shangoon for the Rockets.
35:035 of the 24.
35:05Durant catches.
35:06Durant drives.
35:07Inside.
35:08And fouled.
35:09Only taken two free throws tonight.
35:12And it can add to his 22 point total.
35:15And a 15 point Rockets lead.
35:17Those are tough possessions too because, you know,
35:20not only do they get two free throws at the end of it,
35:22but they burn 22 seconds of a possession.
35:24So you're not really affecting them with your pressure
35:27to play faster in the possession.
35:29Lakers need more possessions right now,
35:31but then on top of it,
35:32they give up two freebies at the end of it.
35:34So Durant, again, averaging 25 a game this year.
35:41He's averaged 25 or more for 16 consecutive years.
35:47And many of those who are shooting over 50%.
35:51A reminder, tonight's national TV schedule.
35:54Prime video tomorrow night.
35:55Sixers and Bulls from Chicago.
35:57Portland hosting the Clippers.
35:58NBC Peacock Monday.
36:00Cavs and Spurs.
36:01Mavericks and Blazers.
36:03There was a long conversation that had Kevin Durant
36:08not had those series of injuries, those two, three years,
36:11he could have been the guy that took over the league's leading score.
36:15This is before we knew that LeBron was going to play
36:17until he was legs age.
36:19We didn't understand that.
36:20But prior to that, Kevin Durant was on pace.
36:23He had two or three years where he missed a bulk of time.
36:26And that's really the only thing that slowed it down.
36:28Had that right Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals missed the 19-20 season.
36:35And regardless what he's dealt with, from a health standpoint,
36:37changing teams like new teammates, new systems.
36:40How about 13 straight years counting this one over 50% from the field?
36:44Donchich got called for technical legs.
36:47That's going to be his eighth technical of the season.
36:49Remember, you start to get suspended at 16.
36:53Well, you can't do the double hand wave at the ref.
36:56That's the respect of the game.
36:57That was 100% a foul by Luka.
36:59This is pure frustration.
37:01I'm saying what I say, but it had nothing to do with what he said.
37:06Well, Durant will shoot the technical.
37:10You know, clearly the foul in his second.
37:22And Donchich enjoying the frustration of his opponent.
37:26Three-and-a-half remaining.
37:33Rockets back up a comfortable 18.
37:35Durant and, and Donchich locked up.
37:38Chengdu turns and bats it home.
37:42Hit him with that chicken wing.
37:44Chicken wing, chicken wing.
37:46Mark is smart.
37:47Goes at Smith.
37:48Goes inside.
37:49Couple of fakes.
37:50Tried to find Ayton.
37:52Durant comes the other way.
37:54Durant to Eason.
37:55Eason lays it up and in.
37:57And a timeout call by the Lakers on Atari Eason.
38:00Thirteen points.
38:01A menace defensively.
38:03And the Rockets in complete control.
38:13Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic each with 25.
38:16As there's now just 3-0-9 remaining in what it looks like it's going to be a Rockets victory.
38:21Yeah, tonight Luka is debuting his latest signature shoe.
38:24The Luka 5.
38:25The one on the right.
38:26That's the Venom colorway.
38:28I would give him probably the best shoe out here tonight.
38:30Him, Braun.
38:31And then Holiday just stepped in with some Christmas Sabrina.
38:34Those are maybe the sneaker late in the game.
38:38See the pun?
38:39Yes.
38:40We did.
38:41We did.
38:42We did.
38:43We were admiring it actually.
38:44As you asked us.
38:45Yeah.
38:46Just wanted to see if you heard me.
38:47So do three rows come on to the game.
38:49Bronny James, LaRavia, Cleaver, and Connect out there for the Lakers with 2-40 remaining.
38:55And it's J.J. Redick seeing what's going on here.
38:58And we're going to have another timeout.
39:03Down to 2-40 remaining.
39:05Smiles to the Rockets.
39:07Looks like a road win.
39:09Well, right now the Rockets averaging 16.1 offensive rebounds per game.
39:19Won't be the most in 24 years.
39:21The 0-1-0-2 Golden State Warriors had a little bit more than that.
39:25They are just dominant on the offensive glass.
39:28So 14 more offensive rebounds tonight.
39:30Almost deflected, so still Rockets ball.
39:35I don't know who was on that 2001 Golden State team to be able to do that.
39:40Gilbert Arenas is one name.
39:41And I know he wasn't doing it.
39:43Eric Dampier, Donald Foyle, Danny Fortson, Antoine Jamison.
39:47Okay.
39:48I can see the rebounders there.
39:49But Capella floats it up and in.
39:53This is such a feel-good game for the Rockets coming off.
39:57That poor performance against the Suns.
40:01Yeah, and Mike, they've lost five games in December to the five worst records in the Western Conference.
40:08So this was an important game for them.
40:10I felt that it was also for the Lakers who now are going to drop six out of ten.
40:15So not trending in the right direction.
40:17I think this team responded to Ema Udoka's message after that Clippers game.
40:20No question.
40:21The game was against the Clippers Tuesday.
40:23The game they lost by 20.
40:24Jeff Green's in the game.
40:26And I always love to see Jeff Green.
40:28He's one of the all-time pros.
40:31He is.
40:32Jeff is a legend.
40:33Uncle Jeff.
40:34They like to call him.
40:35I talked to him before the game.
40:36He said he's been doing a lot of Pilates to keep his body strong.
40:3918th year.
40:4039 years old.
40:41He said he wanted to play until he was 40.
40:43His holiday misses.
40:44Jeff Green holds the record for most teammates a player's had in the history of the NBA.
40:50Well, he's also played on all 30 teams.
40:53No, no, no, no, no.
40:54What?
40:55He's played in 11 teams.
40:57There's 11 teams over two decades.
41:00You're going to check off some names.
41:01Yeah.
41:02Total amount of teammates, 272 for Jeff Green.
41:07I'm proud that his hair is still holding on, too.
41:09Our Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup comes to you from Atlanta.
41:13Big game for the Rams.
41:14Rams and Falcons face off with some playoff implications.
41:178 Eastern on ESPN.
41:18Deportes on the app.
41:20Offensive foul.
41:21Another data-driven telecast and some words and separation needing to be done.
41:25That's the last thing you want, really, for either team.
41:28Outcome decided.
41:30Given the score of the game, I'm surprised we haven't seen this sooner if I was the Lakers.
41:36A couple of players.
41:41Like Davison and Cleaver getting into it.
41:45They seem to be the ones that have the most animosity there.
41:52Now, this was the previous possession you're going to see.
41:58See?
41:59It's a good screen.
42:00Davidson fighting over, and then that extra shove on Cleaver.
42:06And then Cleaver gets it back, as he should.
42:11That's just good basketball.
42:12See, this is my thing where I think the league's in.
42:14Why are we reviewing this?
42:15Tell the guys, go back.
42:16I don't even see a double technical or something along those lines, but let's keep the play of game moving.
42:21Truthfully, I'm shocked two guys would be squaring off over that.
42:25Honestly.
42:26That's not a lot.
42:27With a minute and a half to go, too, and then a 24-point game.
42:31Well, I'm agreeing with you, Legs.
42:32I'm just.
42:33Upon review, we do not have a hostile.
42:35Upon review, we do not have a hostile act.
42:37We have an offensive foul.
42:38As was called on the play, we'll be out of bounds for Houston.
42:42That's good old-fashioned officiating.
42:44That's good old-fashioned officiating right there.
42:46And I was like, what are we doing?
42:47Can we keep this game moving?
42:48I got dinner reservations.
42:50Well, that's in a classic case, too, of Cleaver saying, hey, what about the first one?
42:54They missed that one, so he gets the second screen that he sets a little bit hard on Davidson, and they get him for that.
43:01And that's Jimmy Capers in his 31st season.
43:03We've got two guys tonight here in LeBron James and Kevin Durant who are still spectacular late in their career
43:09and going to be in the Hall of Fame.
43:11Jimmy Capers is still one of the elite officials in his 31st year,
43:15and I think someday he's going to be in the Hall of Fame as an NBA referee.
43:19Capella sets a screen.
43:24Davison tries one.
43:25Fires no good.
43:26And the rookie T-Rope.
43:29Hands off LeBron.
43:31LeBron James as we come up on a minute remaining.
43:34LeBron James also always gets a big cheer.
43:38Knocks down a bucket.
43:40Connect on the drive.
43:41Nice reverse up and in.
43:43Well, this is all Rockets wire-to-wire victory for the Rockets.
43:48Largest lead, 24.
43:52They shoot right now 53% from the field.
43:57As Tate lays it up and in.
44:01Especially where this road trip went for them.
44:04They lost three overtime games.
44:07One and four on the six-game trip.
44:09As Ronnie James knocks down a three and you hear the big cheer from the crowd.
44:15He's now five of 17 from three on the season.
44:22And this will be the first three-game losing streak of the season for the Lakers.
44:28And Bronny.
44:32And that's the thing.
44:33You see him when he goes into the G League.
44:35He's a more aggressive scorer.
44:37He's more looking for a shot.
44:38He's a more confident player and shooter.
44:40I just don't believe in these and these continued reps in that space.
44:43Capella on the second effort.
44:46This, by the way, this is the 18th road game of the season for the Rockets.
44:49They've only played ten home games and they're eight and two.
44:52That's going to start to even up.
44:54And it was a difficult, frustrating road trip for the Rockets, but a terrific performance.
45:00They go back from their worst game effort wise, according to their coach, to one of their better games.
45:06And they end this long road trip with a victory.
45:09LeBron James and the Lakers with a disappointing performance.
45:13As they start a five-game homestand.
45:16Rockets will improve to 18 and 10 overall.
45:21And 10 and 8 on the road.
45:23Lakers will fall to 19 and 10 overall.
45:28And just seven and five here in Los Angeles.
45:32Shingun, part of six players in double figures.
45:36All five starters have been Thompson sensational.
45:39And Tyree Eason, not only did he have 13 points in just his second start,
45:43had four steals, two blocks.
45:46And Kevin Durant, of course, another 25-point game.
45:50He's with Lisa.
45:51Thank you, Mike.
45:52More holiday love.
45:56And I just asked him if I said, Kevin, would he get the reference?
46:01And he just smiled and said, of course.
46:04But Kevin, you guys really set the tone.
46:07It was a wire-to-wire victory for you.
46:08You set the tone early tonight.
46:10What was the difference in the effort tonight?
46:13I just think that it was a tough road trip for us.
46:17So we wanted to come out here and play with a system of urgency for 48 minutes.
46:20I thought we had some lulls throughout the games, throughout this road trip, which lost us some games.
46:24So we wanted to play a 48-minute game tonight.
46:26You were excited for some of your teammates who are going to be playing in their very first Christmas Day game,
46:32especially Amin Thompson.
46:34What did you say to him because he balled out?
46:36Yeah, I mean, just taking the opportunity to realize the majority of the basketball world is watching you tonight.
46:42It's a true honor to be here on Christmas Day.
46:45Some of the greats of the game played on this day, so take pride in it, and tonight he came out and did that.
46:5019th season for you, your 13th Christmas Day game.
46:53What still makes it feel special for you?
46:56Just being in this league for this long, having so many people support the game of basketball on the holiday,
47:02which you spend with your family, you spend indoors to come out here and support the game of basketball.
47:07I'm grateful for all these people that came out tonight, and glad we put a show on for them.
47:11Kevin!
47:12Merry Christmas.
47:13Merry Christmas, everybody.
47:15Well, they do get to go home now.
47:18Thank you, Lisa.
47:19Final score, $119.96.
47:21And our producer, Ian Groker, Madurka, Mike Schwab, and our outstanding crew.
47:26Special thanks to the crew working once again on Christmas Day.
47:29They put in long hours, and we thank them for their dedication and talent.
47:34Of course, for Legs, RJ, Lisa, Mike Green saying, coming up next, the final day of our NBA and Christmas Day slate,
47:41Minnesota and Denver.
47:42Stay tuned after these messages.
47:43Back to the studio in Atlanta, Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Charles.
47:47Merry Christmas, everyone.
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