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00:00Lead 57 51 Durant spectacular Jabari a really good half some great stuff from Dorian Finney Smith and the Rockets
00:07played some of their best defense in that first half in the last six minutes of that second quarter. It's
00:11the hustle and the loose balls and that's an excellent sign. You see this team after the next day and
00:17if you can beat them on hustle I don't think the Rockets have shot spectacularly well you have a chance
00:22if you hit shots you're going to blow this team out the next night. Now I know you haven't won
00:26the game here tonight. You still got a whole second half of basketball.
00:28Luka Doncic has been unbelievable with 23 points. He's been ridiculous. But that's the biggest thing I see right now
00:34because the Lakers don't want to run and rotate. And that's what the Rockets did to them on that blowout
00:39win in Los Angeles on Christmas. Now that's a look at our first half leaders which is our powerful connection
00:45presented by Xfinity. Luka doing what he normally does to the Rockets which is torch them. He fakes the three
00:52now he'll take the three. Misses and a long rebound to Reeves so a reset here for the Lakers LeBron
00:58will try.
00:58He misses and rebound to a man Thompson. And the challenge for Houston is you don't want to get caught
01:04standing and not moving the ball and playing the way that the Lakers do. He can be a little contagious
01:09on both sides.
01:10Rockets looking for their fourth straight win at home. All of the Lakers would match their all time longest home
01:17court winning streak ever against the Lakers to reach in on LeBron's third personal.
01:23See Coach Udoka right there. He knows how instrumental this third quarter is. You got a chance to kind of
01:29take care of business here. Good hands by Reeves. Picked back up by Tariq. Up around and down for a
01:35mid-thompson.
01:36Yeah. Don't finish possessions. Keep moving. Keep cutting. It's just a mid-thompson style game of Benny Smith style game
01:45written all over it.
01:46Smart barreling into Jabari Smith Jr. and lays it in.
01:50He's got to be better than that. Allowed Smart to get far too deep into the paint.
01:55Rockets trying to beat the Lakers in a season series for the first time in six years.
02:00Haven't won any of the previous five off the Capella screen. Back to him. Working on eight. Do a cutting
02:05Thompson. And another finish at the rim. That's a dozen for a mid-thompson.
02:10They don't move. They don't rotate. Be aware. Let's be ready to cut. Be ready to move. Those flips are
02:16there all night long.
02:18Luka throws it up. Inside of eight. Looking for his first point to the game. Trying to score over Capella
02:24and can't.
02:33In the middle of the lane goes Jabari on his way up. Had it knocked out of his hand. He's
02:36moving.
02:38Rockets with their biggest lead. Back to Jabari. Working on eight. Spins. Shoots. Scores. Rockets by ten.
02:47Call me crazy but I'm pretty sure Jabari Smith Jr. got in the lab. Put in work. He looks really
02:53sharp with all the shots here tonight.
02:55Seven of ten shooting now for him. And Reeves turns a corner. Easily gets to the cup.
03:00We talk about Luka and LeBron. Kirk you brought it up earlier. You've got to stay square with Reeves. Keep
03:05him in front again. He is a master of angles.
03:08It's not LeBron and Luka their top two scorers. It's Reeves and Luka. Smart gambled on the steal. Durant pulls
03:14up and misses.
03:16Luka looked for the outlet to Smart. But Thompson had retreated. LeBron to Reeves to catch the shot. He misses.
03:24Both teams are really struggling to shoot for three.
03:27Reeves is 0-5. The Lakers 4-19. Rockets 4-15-15.
03:32Thompson on Luka. Into the paint. And it rolls in. Should have been an animal. Luka did even look to
03:37move his feet.
03:38He just tried to push him in Thompson. Great finish for a man right there.
03:43Really good start to the third quarter for a man Thompson. A half a dozen points. Elbow J. and LeBron.
03:49It drops.
03:50Yes. Again, you don't want to get caught playing a lackadaisical style that the Lakers play.
03:56Keep hustling. Keep fighting through screens. Don't get stuck.
03:59LeBron playing 33 minutes a game at career low. Average. He's still averaging over 21 points per game at 41.
04:04So that is a career low. But Capella drops it in.
04:07He is outworking and outplaying the under eight.
04:10There ain't nothing wrong with being Clint Capella.
04:13And you had LeBron and Luka. Both guys standing and looking at each other. And they were the weak side
04:18tag.
04:19That's good action if you can get back to it.
04:23Reeves to Aiden. Fouled by Capella.
04:31Again, Amin Thompson was pretty darn good in the first half. Look at this pretty Jordan-esque layup there where
04:37he gets to the opposite side.
04:38And he's had some great energy. And look how athletic he is, Craig. He's on one side of the backboard.
04:44Then he jumps at the other.
04:46Capella was his third. Eight looking for his first points of the game.
04:50This is the free throw. He's only shooting 62% at the line this year. A career low, which is
04:57about 12 percentage points fewer than his career average.
05:00And look at our Verizon Orbit Cam. And the first point of the game for DeAndre Aiden.
05:18He's also wants to go one-on-one. Steps left. Comes back right. Gets cut off. Goes to Jabari. Lines
05:24it up. Misses.
05:25Offensive rebound. Amin Thompson back to Kevin Durant.
05:28There's the help by LeBron. And he threw it to Austin Reeves. Trying to swing it in the opposite corner
05:32to Tar East.
05:33I thought he was looking for Capella right there. Kind of threw off both guys.
05:38LeBron won all over Jabari Smith Jr. He'll rise up. His shot is good. Pure look at triple for LeBron.
05:44His first of the game.
05:46He's got nine.
05:55Smart all over Durant. He throws it away again. And then knocked away by Reams. Can Durant get there?
06:01Everybody tapped it out of bounds. Lakers still have it.
06:07What you don't want to do again is turn the ball over.
06:11Keep moving. Space the floor properly. Cut.
06:13Chase down those long rebounds.
06:16You can eat on that side of the floor.
06:29Back to him. One-on-one with Durant.
06:33Goes baseline. Great separation.
06:35Misses. Thompson with a one-arm rebound.
06:37His tenth, he's got a double-double.
06:39It's ridiculously athletic. Just one-handed that man.
06:42Aiden with his left hand. Rebounding with his right.
06:45Into a cutting.
06:46Tari Eason. And he finally scores.
06:49He was 0 for 6.
06:51This has got to be some embarrassing film.
06:53I don't know how you watch the Lakers defensively.
06:56I'll be honest. I haven't seen anything like this.
06:58Stolen by Tari Eason.
07:00Oh, he lost the ball.
07:02Well, he heard the footsteps of Reeves and got bailed out because Luka Doncic fouled him.
07:08Oh.
07:12Luka's first.
07:14Tari will be at the line when play resumes.
07:16We do have a timeout here.
07:18And a man. Thompson having himself an electric start to this second half.
07:23His team is up by 8.
07:25Time for our teaching moment presented by Kelsey Sebold-Klinix.
07:29And he's been red hot.
07:30Look at Finney Smith set this pick.
07:31It just creates chaos and a major moment in the last ballgame against the Pelicans.
07:37Three on Durant.
07:37Look on the weak side.
07:38Okay.
07:39Amid Thompson's open.
07:40He's got laser vision.
07:42What's he see?
07:43Oh.
07:43Big shot.
07:44Bari knocks down the three.
07:46And these guys, right, Craig?
07:49They have been creating chaos here tonight.
07:51Jabari red hot.
07:53Sizes up.
07:54Shot clock winding down.
07:55Mean mugging.
07:56Talking his trash.
07:57We're not sure what he's saying there.
07:59But I think we love it and having some smiles there.
08:01With Coach Ben.
08:03Well, the Rockets blew a seven-point lead and closed the game on a 7-1 run.
08:07The big shot by Bari.
08:08The game winner by Kevin Rant.
08:09Welcome back to the booth, everybody.
08:11Craig and Ryan with you.
08:12Important game here with the Lakers.
08:14Potential tiebreaker on the line here tonight.
08:18The Rockets have already lost the tiebreaker to Denver.
08:20They could get the tiebreaker on the Lakers.
08:22With as tight the standings are, these could be important with a win here tonight.
08:25They're 1-0 against Minnesota.
08:27They play them two more times.
08:28One here, one there.
08:29They have the tiebreaker on the Phoenix Suns already.
08:32So, again, the teams are separated by so few games.
08:37Having these tiebreakers make them in handy.
08:39They absolutely will.
08:41And keep in mind, we haven't spoke about it enough.
08:43No Alprin Shigun tonight.
08:45So, you know, when you're messing a monster megastar like Alprin Shigun, everybody else has to pick it up.
08:51And I thought they did so in the Pels game.
08:53And you're seeing elements of that here tonight.
08:56Capella playing well.
08:58Finney having probably his best game of the season.
09:02Reed Shepard.
09:02That got put back in.
09:04But I think there was a foul on the drive or no?
09:06I think a push off on Capella on the rebound or was it an offensive foul on Reed?
09:10I think that's...
09:11It's on Clint Capella push off.
09:13I think that's...
09:14What is that?
09:15That is third?
09:15And you've got to watch Marcus Smart.
09:16Wait, wait, no.
09:17They actually caught...
09:17Wait, they called on Reed?
09:19I think they did call it on Reed Shepard.
09:24Oh, they say that Marcus Smart is really...
09:27There's no more challenges.
09:27Really good at taking charges.
09:29Took one on Reed.
09:29So there was a foul on Reed Shepard.
09:31But he was moving.
09:31Remember the other day, they said that the movement from...
09:34It's all about the running position though.
09:37Well, he's in the running position.
09:38They said he was moving.
09:39Reed called for the push off foul.
09:42And Luka knocks down the 16-footer.
09:45It's so hard.
09:46You know, he hits contested shots.
09:48He's built like an old school 90s power forward.
09:52And he can shoot like Larry Bird.
09:5510 of 19 for Luka.
09:5625 points.
09:59Who's LeBron guarding?
10:00They just zone off when Durant has the ball.
10:04They'll work through a triple team short.
10:07LeBron to Luka.
10:10Shepard got his hands on Luka.
10:12But too strong.
10:13Played right through him.
10:14Banked it in.
10:15And will get one.
10:16Get out the way or go serve up a playoff foul.
10:20Allowed Luka to get the ball up and in the air.
10:22You got to take him for a ride there.
10:23And I'm sure Fred VanVleet will be talking with Reed about those type of plays.
10:28Third on Shepard.
10:29Lakers have had what was recently a 10-point deficit.
10:32Luka to the line.
10:32And now a word from Derry Queen.
10:34It's always treat season at DQ.
10:37Home of the Blizzard treat.
10:38And all your soft serve favorites.
10:41He's three of four at the line in the game.
10:46Again, 31 points.
10:48His career average against the Rockets.
10:49The most by any player ever.
10:51He's on track for that.
10:53And then some.
10:55Now it's 28.
10:57And the Rockets' 10-point lead is just four.
11:02Lakers five straight wins.
11:04Eight wins in their last nine.
11:06Playing Drake basketball coming into play here tonight.
11:08Coming off of an incredible, thrilling overtime win over Denver.
11:16Easton into the paint.
11:17Stepping back for 14.
11:19Knocks down his second basket.
11:21So he's slowly coming alive here in the third quarter.
11:24And Lutari's Easton.
11:25Excuse me.
11:25Yes, he's Easton.
11:27But his defense is always there in his hustle.
11:31Luka.
11:32Terrell.
11:33I think Joshua Kogan, did he pull the chair?
11:35Definitely pulled the chair.
11:36Causing Luka to move both his feet and walk before he passed it back out.
11:41Has there been a call that Luka's ever agreed with?
11:45Is this the Kevin McHale move?
11:46Yeah.
11:47Pulled the chair in one, two, three, four.
11:50Couple steps there.
12:00Lamp doubled.
12:02You got a flash harder to the elbows when he's doubled.
12:04And then out of frustration, he drops and Dex Reeves and picks up the five.
12:08That's his third turnover at his third quarter.
12:10That just smart.
12:11Reeves is excellent at taking charges and player control foul there.
12:17A little bit of extra acting to make sure he got the call.
12:23Yeah, third turnover for Durant in the third.
12:25Please let him review it to see if it meets the criteria of a flagrant foul.
12:27And they're going to review it to see if it's potentially upgradable.
12:31Got doubled.
12:32Got frustrated.
12:33Threw Reeves down.
12:35And now they'll decide whether or not it warrants any further penalty than besides just a regular common foul.
12:45And there's the chuck away from the ball.
12:47And I have a feeling that they'll say that this was unnecessary and will result in a flagrant.
12:54I don't know.
12:55It looks like Reeves' flops contact wasn't above the shoulders.
12:59I mean.
12:59But he did shove him, Ryan.
13:00We can't get soft as a league, man.
13:02I've seen worse plays.
13:03Well, then you got to call that everywhere because it happens all the time.
13:05I would not be shocked if he doesn't receive a flagrant for an unnecessary play there.
13:11The way that defenders grab and hold Kevin Durant everywhere he moves along the floor.
13:18And you see the Rockets staff and players checking.
13:22I don't know if they're checking out the player.
13:24They're checking out, you know, looks that Emei would love to see.
13:28I assume possibly the play to kind of expect what they'll get.
13:31But maybe they were looking at where they can help Durant when he gets doubled on the wing.
13:34Yes, you're right about that, Craig.
13:36That's what I said.
13:37You got to flash hard through the elbow and give Durant options to pass.
13:42One guy goes high to the elbow.
13:43The other guy's low to the short corner.
13:45And one guy out to the three-point line and then go and attack those double teams.
13:50J.J. Redick is making a statement and trying to get the ball out of Durant's hands.
13:53And I thought to close the second half, Houston, excuse me, second quarter, Houston was excellent there.
13:59After reviewing has been determined that there is wind up by Durant prior to the contact.
14:04As a result, the common foul has been upgraded to a flagrant foul penalty one.
14:08It'll be two shots for Reeves and L.A. Bulls side out.
14:12I am personally not surprised by it.
14:14You were right, Craig.
14:15But I think it's soft.
14:17You could call those plays all the time.
14:20So a flagrant one on Durant.
14:23Now, if you ask Draymond now, he could get a technical with the flagrant one and still stay in the
14:28ball game.
14:30That's an open wound.
14:32Still.
14:33Too soon, yeah.
14:34So Reeves at the line.
14:36It's two for two.
14:37He has ten points in this game.
14:39He's going to suffer that injury against the Rockets on Christmas.
14:42There's some time.
14:43It's only his 47th appearance.
14:47His 42nd appearance this season, I beg your pardon.
14:5036th time he's been in their starting lineup.
14:53But when he's been healthy and been on the floor this year, he has been really good.
14:58Yeah, best season as a pro by far.
15:0050% from the field, 38% from three, 87% at the line.
15:06You see his progression as a pro, which is completely upwards.
15:11And for the Rockets, it's a mental game.
15:14You know, those are the little plays you think Finney Smith had a throwaway where the ball went inbounds.
15:19They're asking, you know, about a challenge.
15:21Those are the little plays that he may warn the group about.
15:24Keep playing hard.
15:25Stay solid.
15:26Stay disciplined.
15:27And the game is going to be in your hands.
15:29And they found LeBron.
15:30The mismatch on Shepard threw over the top, and he converted.
15:36They got Reeves switched on LeBron.
15:40Lakers smelled that thing out, executed.
15:42It's a 9-2 run now for L.A.
15:45They're within two.
15:47Welcome back.
15:48Those red shoes you see Kevin Durant wearing.
15:50It's a very special day for Kevin and Nike.
15:53Those are the KD-19s.
15:55They're debuting tonight.
15:56They will be available for purchase in June.
15:58It's his 19th signature model.
16:01The outsole has KD's two NBA numbers, 35 and 7.
16:04It brings back the full-length zoom strobes cushioning.
16:07Has added comfort and responsiveness.
16:10When I spoke to Kevin a few weeks ago, Craig and Ryan, you may remember,
16:13he told me every sneaker he releases tells a story.
16:15He wants them to be functional and comfortable for other players to wear.
16:20The Nike KD-19 coming your way in June.
16:22That is a bright red, and they do look incredibly functional and comfortable.
16:29And a great color.
16:30Rockets red.
16:32All right, so the Rockets' lead, which was 10, has been trimmed to 2.
16:379-2 run for the Lakers.
16:46The Lakers doing a good job.
16:47Keeper Thompson in front of him and steps through.
16:49Missed it.
16:50Fading out of bounds.
16:51Doddy got fouled.
16:51Had some worse for the official.
16:52The Rockets have four guys back.
16:54The Lakers have five offensively.
16:55They can get the lead on this possession.
16:57There's Kennard.
16:58The Hachimura looking to tie it up, and he does.
17:01And for the Rockets, when you get caught in the whistle,
17:04when you get caught in the extras,
17:06you're going to have to keep moving the ball
17:08and play through those instances.
17:12Game is tied at 72.
17:13Four minutes to go in the corner.
17:22Playing all around the lane on Kevin Durant.
17:25LeBron sneaks in, turns him over, drives in on Okoge,
17:29doesn't hit the shot as he punched it earlier in the game on Jabari,
17:32but Okoge fouled on him, and LeBron will shoot free throws.
17:34And the Lakers now with a chance to get the lead
17:37after trailing by 10 earlier in this quarter.
17:43It's right to turn around here for the Lakers.
17:47So LeBron at the line.
17:48He has not shot any free throws as of yet.
17:51Now, Rockets fans, join us at the Toyota Center
17:54this Friday, March the 20th, for Clutch's birthday bash
17:57and Kid's Day presented by Children's Memorial Hermann.
18:01The first 3,000 fans will receive a Kid's mascot trucker hat.
18:04So come celebrate everyone's favorite mascot
18:06and secure your tickets now at Rockets.com.
18:09Dorian Finney-Smith, who make a strong case,
18:11had his best half of a, as a Rocket.
18:13He did make his Rocket's debut on Christmas in L.A.
18:16It's been a struggle for him this season.
18:18LeBron won more, missed the first, made that,
18:20breaks the tie.
18:22And the Lakers have erased the 10-point deficit.
18:25The run for them now officially 12-2.
18:27And you can't get caught eyeing down Durant.
18:30Dribble off of him if he's denied.
18:32Step up if you're KD and set a screen.
18:34And those are really good actions in the first half.
18:40Shepard downhill, high off the glass,
18:43and in beating LeBron there,
18:44who came over from the weak side,
18:45trying to block the shot.
18:46Rocket seesaw back out in front.
18:48Yeah, and no shot blocker on the floor for L.A., you know,
18:51but if you're playing against Luka,
18:53don't dance with him.
18:54Just take it, rip and go.
18:55Kennard.
18:57LeBron James threw it a little bit behind Reeves.
18:59Good job by Reeves, corralling it,
19:01and then coming into the lane and scoring it.
19:05Luka's on the verge of 30 points.
19:07Reeves has a little ways to go.
19:08He's got 14,
19:09but those two guys have each scored 30-plus
19:11in the last three games with the red-hot Lakers.
19:17Because of their winning streak,
19:19they have overtaken the Rockets in the standings.
19:20Quarter three, oh my gosh.
19:22That is a very bad miss by Jabari.
19:25And then Thompson luckily there to pick it up,
19:28and he got fouled.
19:29My goodness, he missed it, like, by three-plus feet.
19:31Too slow for Houston.
19:33Got to get back to moving the basketball.
19:35Got the speed advantage there over Luka Boucher.
19:37Slow shot blocker in,
19:39and Reed Shepard just getting to the rack there.
19:42Hachimura picked up his third.
19:44Kevin Rankin to come out.
19:48Tar-Eason inbounding here.
19:50Larabia's picked up LeBron James.
19:54Oh, my gosh.
19:56Literally handed it to Reeves.
19:59Got to Hachimura.
20:00Stips it through.
20:01He misses.
20:02Tip try no good, but a foul.
20:03Larabia got hit from behind.
20:05And this is favoring the Lakers.
20:08The game's slowing down,
20:09starting to see a lot of one-on-one,
20:12and it's not great for Houston.
20:14They're good with their energy.
20:15They defend and then go run out,
20:17and the Lakers can't run with the Rockets.
20:20So Larabia back at the line here.
20:24And now we have a technical foul
20:27on a man Thompson,
20:30which, you know, from time to time,
20:32evil twin does show up,
20:34but he's normally a pretty
20:37outside of that,
20:38very mild-mannered guy
20:39and just teed up.
20:42So Reeves makes the technical free throw.
20:44No, he's got a case.
20:45He was just pushed.
20:46You know, there are moments
20:46where the Lakers don't even attempt to defend,
20:48and these look like somewhat
20:49should be obvious foul calls
20:51that are called.
20:55Both these benches this season
20:57amongst the low...
20:58In fact, I think two lowest-scoring bench units
21:00in the league.
21:07I'm not sure what he said,
21:10but he was frustrated.
21:12So he gets teed up.
21:15One more here for Larabia.
21:17He's five for five on the line.
21:19They get five of six.
21:21You see a big fella.
21:24Fifteen bench points for the Rockets,
21:26thirteen for the Lakers' reserves.
21:28Houston needs to find a way
21:29to get their energy back up.
21:32Sixteen to four is this run for L.A.
21:34Shepard will fire it up short.
21:38Again, the Lakers looking to switch all actions.
21:41It's getting way too stagnant.
21:43Luka, voices, hits.
21:46Thirty-one for Luka
21:47when he averages against the Rockets
21:48in his career.
21:50In the back half of this third quarter
21:51has been dominated by the Lakers.
21:58Nineteen to four is the Spurs.
21:59Bad pass
22:02to stagnant.
22:03Move the ball.
22:04Get downhill.
22:05Get a piece of the paint.
22:06Force the Lakers to have to react.
22:11And right now,
22:12this small lineup
22:13has clicked
22:15Capella off the floor.
22:16And he was really good
22:17the first half, too.
22:19Sixteen points turnaround
22:20for the Lakers
22:20in this third quarter
22:21in the last handful of minutes.
22:24Luka, one-on-one with Thompson.
22:25Couple of ball fakes.
22:27Thompson stands his ground
22:28right back to Luka.
22:29He'll shoot.
22:30Miss.
22:31Rebound.
22:32Jabari Smith, Jr.
22:33Then he gets fouled by Hachimura.
22:35Lakers had a foul to give.
22:37That was their first
22:38in the last two.
22:39So, again,
22:40you know,
22:41this is lineup.
22:41The shot blocker for the Lakers.
22:43Move the ball.
22:44Get downhill.
22:45Draw two or score.
22:46Find a teammate.
22:47And, again,
22:48the Lakers should fall apart.
22:58Reid pulling back.
22:59We'll take the shot now
23:00to Jabari.
23:01Back to Reid.
23:03Throws the line
23:04and a mid-topson
23:05throws it down.
23:07It's that simple.
23:08Move it a little bit.
23:10Attack.
23:10Drive and kick.
23:11You're going to be so open.
23:1716 and 10.
23:18Five assists as well
23:19for a mid-chompsie.
23:20CJ trying to spread the floor
23:21and find matchups.
23:22And they double up Luka
23:23and they turn him over.
23:25Reid Shepard
23:26with the second dunk
23:26in the game.
23:29All right.
23:30This is the energy
23:30that favors Houston
23:32with great perm
23:33in the first half.
23:37Nine for Shepard
23:38has three assists as well.
23:40Pull back three.
23:41Look at Doncic.
23:42Oh, my goodness.
23:43It goes down.
23:44Falling down.
23:46Those shots look
23:47near impossible, man,
23:49but he has done that
23:50on every level
23:51that he's played on.
23:53Especially when that level
23:54includes the game office
23:55at the Rockets.
23:56It's 4-3.
23:59And Smart
24:00called for the reach-in
24:01on Jabari.
24:02He wants three free throws.
24:04I'm not so sure
24:04the officials are going
24:05to give him three.
24:06The Lakers are over the limit
24:07and they are.
24:08The Dubs look like
24:09they're going to say
24:09it's a three-shot foul.
24:11Trying to attack
24:12Reid Shepard.
24:12Reid Shepard jumps
24:13that handle.
24:14Doncic gets a little
24:15lazy with it
24:16and goes it down.
24:19Showing some hops, man.
24:20Reid's got some hops.
24:23Now they say
24:23it's a two-shot foul.
24:25Yeah.
24:26Initially, I thought
24:27he gave a signal
24:27for three,
24:28but it's going to be
24:29a two-shot foul.
24:30Smart's third.
24:32Jabari to the free throw line
24:33for the first time
24:33in this game.
24:34He's got 15.
24:34Remember, the Rockets,
24:36when he scores 15,
24:37the Rockets don't lose
24:38very often.
24:4033 and 210 seconds
24:41to play in the third.
24:43This is the second game
24:44of this five-game homestand
24:46for the Rockets
24:47as Jabari makes the first.
24:48And we got some golf, right?
24:52Ricky Fowler,
24:54reigning champion
24:55Minwoo Lee
24:55at the 2026 Texas
24:56Children's Houston Open.
24:58Houston's premier
24:58PGA Tour event
25:00returns to Memorial Park
25:01golf courts
25:01from March the 26th
25:03through the 29th.
25:04Tickets are available
25:04now at TCHOUopen.com
25:07slash tickets.
25:14I am the world's worst.
25:18Really?
25:19I thought baseball players
25:20were really good at golf.
25:22I'm terrible on my locations.
25:23I'm a die for the ball.
25:25That's a bad comment.
25:26I am a terrible boy.
25:30I like going
25:31hanging out with the boys
25:32on the golf course.
25:32But I don't like that.
25:33I'm not very...
25:34You don't want to play.
25:35Rockets, do they come up?
25:36They do.
25:36Hot potato.
25:37They get the ball back.
25:38Oh, baby.
25:39Smith throws it
25:40behind them.
25:41And Thompson
25:42hands the gift
25:42right back to the Lakers.
25:48Houston's got to stay disciplined.
25:49It's there.
25:50Don't fall apart.
25:51It's there.
25:5115 turnovers for the Rockets.
25:53The Lakers 17 points
25:54so far off the Rockets' mistakes.
25:57Let's see.
25:57Does Houston go and trap
25:59Doncic to get the ball
26:00out of his hands?
26:01He has been just smoking red hot.
26:06Shot clock is off.
26:07Final 13.6 in the quarter.
26:10That look is kind of 34, man.
26:20Now working on Jabari.
26:22Step into his right.
26:23Off balance to Eve.
26:25He missed it.
26:27And that'll do it.
26:29Well, Matt Thompson
26:30got off to a
26:31scintillating start
26:32to the third.
26:33But then it was the Lakers
26:34who went on that
26:35big 19-4 run.
26:37They erased
26:38the 10-point deficit
26:39led by as many as six.
26:41And we have played
26:42three quarters tonight
26:43here at Toyota Center
26:44in this really important game.
26:46And it's the Lakers
26:47just by three
26:47with 12 minutes remaining.
27:02Oh, I like it, Ryan!
27:03I like it a lot!
27:04I like it a lot, Ryan!
27:07What are you talking about?
27:08Sorry!
27:10Sorry, Zane!
27:15Play of the game
27:16from a Rockets perspective
27:17here tonight.
27:18We're through three.
27:19Lakers erased a 10-point deficit
27:21in the third quarter.
27:22Lead by three
27:22after 380-380.
27:23This game summary
27:24presented by
27:25Academy Sports and Outdoors.
27:26The Rockets committed
27:27eight turnovers
27:28in the third quarter.
27:29Kevin Durant
27:30committed half
27:31of those turnovers.
27:32He had four turnovers
27:33in the third
27:33and did not score.
27:35That's not ideal.
27:36You see the run
27:36by the Lakers
27:37to close out the third.
27:38Luke has been dominating
27:39like he normally does
27:40against the Rockets.
27:41But yeah, Kevin Durant
27:42four turnovers
27:43in the third quarter.
27:44Scoreless eight
27:45for the Rockets
27:46and that's why
27:47they went from up 10
27:48to down six.
27:49Now down three
27:50with 12 minutes to go
27:51in a game that
27:52if they win
27:53they earn the tiebreaker
27:55over the Lakers
27:56with these two teams
27:56to meet yet again
27:57here on Wednesday night.
28:00Yeah.
28:01Hats off to the Lakers.
28:02They slowed things down.
28:03They put a small lineup in.
28:04They switched everything
28:05and just a different
28:06tempo from
28:08what they did
28:09in the first half.
28:09Now it's up to Houston
28:11to make the adjustment
28:12and again
28:12stay disciplined.
28:16Jackson Hayes in
28:17with the fella
28:17back in to match.
28:20Jabari dribbles
28:21himself into a double
28:22team to turnovers.
28:24Again,
28:24rearing their ugly head.
28:26Good hands go
28:26by Shepard
28:27to get it right back
28:28poking away
28:28from LaRavia.
28:30Much better
28:31but you'd like to see
28:32Reed stay in the picture.
28:33If he doesn't get that
28:34swat,
28:34he's been giving up
28:35another layup.
28:36Now he burned Hayes
28:37in the first half.
28:38He's matched up
28:39with him here.
28:39Passes off to
28:40Finney Smith.
28:41Finney Smith misses
28:42the three.
28:42LeBron with a rebound.
28:45Finney Smith is tied
28:46to season nine
28:46with eight points.
28:47Oh!
28:47LeBron up top
28:49and down it goes!
28:50His communication,
28:52he can still
28:52throw it down.
28:54Capella was trying
28:55to get back to Hayes
28:56and they could just
28:57put it up in the air.
28:5914 for LeBron,
29:00six of nine,
29:01his second big-time
29:02throwdown
29:03in this ballgame.
29:04Lakers by five.
29:06Thompson threw two
29:07and an undercut,
29:08they say he was,
29:09by LeBron.
29:10They're going to call him
29:13for the foul.
29:14He can't believe it.
29:15He wants his coaches
29:16to challenge it
29:17but unless they challenge,
29:19it's going to be a foul.
29:20Defensive foul,
29:20LeBron and the Lakers
29:21are going to challenge it.
29:30All right,
29:31we'll step aside.
29:32Coach's challenge
29:33here for the Lakers.
29:34They'll look at
29:35that last call.
29:35They lead by five.
29:410-1 with their challenges.
29:4210-59 to go.
29:4385-80 L.A.
29:44Call stands.
29:45The men Thompson
29:45will be shooting free throws.
29:47Yeah, he gets out
29:48but he's still moving
29:49and that's of late
29:51how those calls
29:52have been made.
29:53You know, Craig,
29:54I've talked about it
29:55several times.
29:55We've seen guys
29:56that are moving
29:56that still get charged
29:57called but seems like
29:59the league is going back
29:59to hey, if you're moving
30:01and you're out of position,
30:02those are not being called
30:05or rewarded.
30:06Those have been blocked
30:07and we've seen that
30:08pretty consistent.
30:09By the way,
30:09I believe Diane Cannon
30:10is here sitting right
30:12next to the Lakers bench.
30:18You see right behind LeBron.
30:20There she is.
30:21Diane Cannon,
30:23L.A. legend,
30:25attending a road game.
30:26Usually always see her
30:27at Lakers home games.
30:28Now, we did not do the game
30:29on Christmas in L.A.
30:31I don't know if she still
30:32does this or not,
30:33especially since our broadcast
30:34position in L.A.
30:35has moved from the floor
30:36up to the mid-level
30:37of the lower bowl.
30:40But she used to always
30:41make brownies
30:41for the scorer's table
30:42and passed them out.
30:44They were very good brownies.
30:45I was always very appreciative
30:46of them.
30:47Good to see that she's
30:48attending a game here
30:49in Houston.
30:49I believe she's 89th.
30:51Wow.
30:53You're quite the fan.
30:58Apparently,
30:58she's attending
30:59the entire Lakers road trip.
31:01Good for her.
31:02Here's Reeves.
31:03Good defense.
31:04Back to LeBron.
31:05Throws it up.
31:06The grenade.
31:06Missed it.
31:07And a great box out
31:08of Hayes by Capella.
31:09But yeah,
31:10she used to pass out
31:11those brownies.
31:11I don't know
31:12if she makes them
31:12anymore,
31:12but they were delicious.
31:14Here's Reed Shepard.
31:16Gotta respect this three.
31:20Yes,
31:21Mark just chucked Bari.
31:22Smart picks up
31:23another one.
31:26Mark is smart.
31:27A very physical,
31:28smart,
31:29savvy defender.
31:30No pun there.
31:37One of E-Mays favorites.
31:39He's an edge
31:39to the game.
31:44Pull-up.
31:45Drops.
31:4615 v 15.
31:48Pretty shot there.
31:49Normally,
31:49it's easy to shoot
31:50your pull-up
31:51going to your left
31:51because you can
31:52get it off quicker,
31:53but Reed Shepard,
31:54man,
31:55a great shooter
31:55going to his right.
31:56You know who's
31:56another great shooter
31:57going to his right
31:58and it's not common?
32:00J.J. Reddick
32:00actually favored
32:01shooting off
32:02that right shoulder.
32:03Great shooting.
32:05Again,
32:0515-year playing career
32:06to LeBron.
32:08Back inside to Hayes.
32:09He misses the bunny.
32:10Hosed out to LaRavia.
32:12Got a matchup here.
32:13For the Lakers.
32:15Rockets a plus 15
32:16at second chance points
32:17in this game.
32:17They're down two,
32:18though.
32:19Here's Smart.
32:20His runner.
32:21He misses.
32:22Rebound.
32:22The Rockets secure it.
32:24Whoa,
32:24watch out the ball.
32:25Oh, man.
32:26By LaRavia,
32:27then he gave him
32:27an elbow.
32:28Something simple,
32:29but it's got a deep six.
32:31And now LaRavia is down
32:32and shook up.
32:33Yeah,
32:33when Clint gets a readout,
32:34just hold it high,
32:35put those elbows up.
32:36He knows.
32:37And Clint knows better
32:38and don't turn that ball over.
32:40My guess is they'll
32:41look at this
32:41as well
32:43for a possible upgrade.
32:47They are going to look at it.
32:48Contact to the head.
32:50LaRavia is up.
32:53Let's see this play.
32:54They're definitely
32:55contact above the shoulders.
32:57Slaps them on the left.
32:59Ah,
32:59hit him a flop.
33:00A big flop there.
33:04Now,
33:05question,
33:05was it a place on LaRavia?
33:07It's a flop.
33:07There was not much
33:08of a wind-up there.
33:09It's not a wind-up at all.
33:10It's definitely a flop.
33:12And you were right.
33:13I saw another angle
33:14of Kevin's play.
33:14He definitely shoved him.
33:15So now,
33:16if they see this flop,
33:17can they give him a technical
33:18for doing that, Craig?
33:20Post?
33:21Why not?
33:22Well,
33:23they're going to look at it here.
33:24There was not much
33:25of a wind-up there.
33:26Not much you can do
33:27about the foul
33:28that was called,
33:29but I would presume
33:30that there's probably not
33:33much there to warrant.
33:35After review,
33:36Tank Capella's right elbow
33:37hits the defender
33:38in the face,
33:38but there is no wind-up,
33:40impact,
33:40or follow-through.
33:41The ruling on the floor
33:42of an offensive foul,
33:43common foul,
33:44stands as called.
33:45Yeah,
33:45I think that's ultimately
33:46the right decision there.
33:47Let's pause momentarily
33:48for this word
33:49from Texas Mattress Makers.
33:53No fouls,
33:54just great sleep.
33:57It was about
33:58the wind-up there,
34:00and they said Durant,
34:01they said Durant wound up.
34:03They did.
34:04Wind-up his,
34:05and then no wind-up there
34:06for Clint Capella.
34:07The context,
34:08the foul stands,
34:08but no flagrant one
34:10on Clint Capella.
34:13And they get no wind-up there.
34:15I'd like to
34:16flop warning issue
34:18or called.
34:24Lakers by two,
34:25they were down ten.
34:26Benny Smith defending
34:27LeBron James,
34:28back up top to Reeves,
34:29the pin-down screen by Hayes,
34:30frees him up,
34:31and he misses the shot.
34:33Well, he's 0 for 6 from 3.
34:34The Rockets are very fortunate
34:36that Reeves has not shot
34:37the ball well
34:38in this game.
34:40Shepard,
34:40that pass goes to no one.
34:42Then Thompson,
34:42he thought he was going to keep
34:44coming down that baseline,
34:45but he stopped.
34:46And then the pass goes out of bounds,
34:48and the Rockets' turnovers
34:48in this second half
34:49continue to mount.
34:50Yeah, there's nowhere to go,
34:51though, nonetheless.
34:53Houston's got to be
34:54so much better
34:55at taking care of the basketball.
34:57Those turnovers
34:58have really hurt them
34:59in this half.
35:02Smart for LeBron,
35:04the 20-footer.
35:05Nope.
35:07And Moravia's going to be called
35:08for a foul knocking down
35:09Kevin Durant,
35:10who, by the way,
35:10still looking for his first points
35:11of this second half.
35:12He's got 16,
35:13went scoreless
35:14in that third quarter
35:15and, again,
35:15had four turnovers.
35:16So, hopefully,
35:17he's put that behind him.
35:19And what Durant has done
35:20in recent games
35:21has also stopped
35:21turning the ball over
35:23up until that third quarter.
35:26All right, let's see.
35:27And Houston can get some energy.
35:28You know,
35:29the pace being a lot slower,
35:31walk it up,
35:31it actually favors
35:33LeBron James,
35:34who's much older,
35:34and Luka Doncic,
35:35who'd like to walk it up the court.
35:39Lakers are
35:40the best shooting team
35:41from two in the league,
35:42just under 50%.
35:43Top two shooting team
35:45in the league,
35:46period.
35:47There's a double on Durant.
35:49Yep.
35:49Now he's backcourt.
35:51Come on.
35:52You've got to be better.
35:53Another Durant.
35:54When you feel your guy going,
35:56you've got to beeline
35:57right behind it,
35:59get the ball to the elbow,
36:00and then attack
36:01to the weak side.
36:02Well, we saw what happened
36:03when Denver did that
36:04to Durant.
36:05The Rockets just fell apart
36:07offensively.
36:08They did it all game.
36:11Jared Dudley,
36:13former Laker
36:14and Dallas coach
36:16running their defense there.
36:24LeBron,
36:25the catch in traffic,
36:26comes back out to Laravia.
36:28He'll come in the lane,
36:29a little decel,
36:30he misses.
36:31Better.
36:31With a rebound.
36:32Better from Reed.
36:33You see him staying in there,
36:34making a tough play.
36:39There you go.
36:40Set a pick.
36:41Make him react.
36:41Now,
36:42you see Finney stay there
36:43on the elbow.
36:44Oh, my God.
36:45The double teaming
36:46is just discombobulating
36:47the Rockets.
36:49Turnover after turnover
36:50after turnover
36:51in this second half.
36:5320 for the game,
36:5413 turnovers
36:55in the second half.
36:57Let's call it out, Craig.
36:58You see Fred Van Vliet
36:59up, communicating.
37:00This is where you miss
37:01Alprin-Shingun.
37:02Shin hub.
37:03He gets to the elbow.
37:05You throw it to him
37:05and he makes magic happen
37:06on the weak side.
37:07So,
37:08you don't have that tonight.
37:09Hats off to JJ Redick
37:10for embracing these doubles.
37:13I think Amin Thompson
37:14can be the guy.
37:15Flash him into the elbow
37:17and let him go
37:17and make a play
37:18on the weak side.
37:20Two on Luka.
37:21Now to Marcus Smart.
37:22The three.
37:24Short.
37:25And approve.
37:26And Smith tracks it down.
37:27Another chance
37:28for the Rockets
37:29to get the lead back here
37:29as the scoring
37:30just to don't turn it over.
37:31Screeching hold
37:32here in the last
37:32several minutes.
37:35Grant pressure
37:36by LeBron.
37:40Now skips it
37:41to Jabari.
37:41He'll pull up
37:42for the elbow.
37:43He misses.
37:44It's getting to a point
37:45they're not guarding
37:46the rest of the Rockets.
37:47He'll go to you.
37:48He'll use Duran
37:48as the screener
37:49instead of the ball handler.
37:50Then you have him
37:51come off the picks.
37:53Lakers miss again.
37:54Rockets with yet another chance.
37:55Absolutely.
37:56Let him be the screener
37:58or subbing the men's
37:59Thompson.
37:59Forgive me.
38:00Not trying to mess with lineups.
38:02He's probably your best guy.
38:03He's walking in right now.
38:04Okay?
38:05And put him at the elbow
38:07almost like you're running
38:08his zone offense.
38:09It literally is his own offense
38:10because that's how they play.
38:11And defending Smith
38:12cutting Jabari Smith
38:13to the Rockets
38:14finally score.
38:15They tie it up.
38:16And I'm sure that's what
38:17Fred just yelled out
38:18to the guys.
38:19Someone sit at the elbow.
38:20Run your zone offense
38:21the way the Lakers are playing
38:22and know those plays
38:23are going to be there all night.
38:24There have been no scoring
38:25in the first half
38:26of this fourth quarter.
38:27Smart.
38:28Airballs to three.
38:30Offensively,
38:31both teams
38:33just struggling.
38:35Yeah, you got to
38:35look that one off, baby.
38:38Lakers are one of ten
38:39here on the fourth.
38:40Marcus Smart
38:42favoring that left knee
38:43as he checks out.
38:46Hope he's fine
38:47after the game.
38:48That just played it off
38:48on the knee hurt
38:49from that air ball.
38:52Yep.
38:55Faked an injury?
38:56Yeah.
38:56After an air ball
38:57or a bat for me?
38:59No.
39:06Again,
39:07someone gets an elbow.
39:08The double's coming.
39:09There's Finney on the elbow.
39:12And off the ball,
39:14Reeves is called
39:15for a push on Durant.
39:17And I get
39:18Kevin's frustration
39:19on that flagrant
39:20because everybody
39:21just holds him.
39:23Now,
39:24let's see.
39:26Here's the flash.
39:28Where's the flash?
39:31Finney's going to sit here.
39:33He's going to step up
39:33two-on-one on the weak side.
39:35Easy basketball.
39:40He's got a mid-topson in there.
39:41Finney's mid-top with a circle.
39:43He'll drive.
39:44He'll curl.
39:45He misses.
39:45Gets the rebound.
39:47Back to Jabari.
39:48He'll line up the wing.
39:49Three!
39:49And he knocks it down
39:51as LeBron is down.
39:52Eight straight for the Rockets.
39:54They're up by three.
39:56Monster shot.
39:58You can understand
39:58the frustration for the Rockets
40:00from those turnovers.
40:02There's only been
40:02ten points scored
40:03in the fourth quarter.
40:05And the Rockets
40:05have eight of them.
40:07Four.
40:08Lakers still have it.
40:10More second chance points,
40:11by the way,
40:11for the Rockets.
40:1223-5 is their edge again.
40:15They had a big-time edge
40:16in that category
40:18in their win on Christmas
40:19in L.A.
40:20outscoring the Lakers
40:2124-10
40:22in second chance points.
40:24You can feel this place
40:25ready to erupt.
40:26If Houston could get a stop,
40:27run out, man,
40:27and get something good.
40:28Hand to LeBron
40:29to catch.
40:30Strip.
40:30Fouled.
40:32He just shoved it.
40:34He drops it off
40:34to get that basketball.
40:36Again, those are the plays
40:37you've got to play through.
40:40So LeBron James
40:41back to the line.
40:42One for two in a game.
40:4414 points for him.
40:49I thought when Thompson
40:51actually got ball,
40:52there's no challenge here.
40:55Nonetheless,
40:56college students
40:56at the Houston Rockets
40:57have exclusive ticket deals
40:59just for you.
41:00Sign up with your phone number
41:01and an EDU email
41:02to get prices as low
41:03as $10 sent
41:05straight to your phone
41:06all season long.
41:07Go to Rockets.com
41:08slash college
41:09to sign up today.
41:11So one more here
41:12for LeBron.
41:13The Lakers 17-20
41:14at the line.
41:17Closing in
41:18on Robert Parrish
41:20on the all-time
41:20games played list.
41:24Robert Parrish.
41:25Legend.
41:27LeBron.
41:28Legend.
41:29Agreed.
41:29That ends
41:31the run by the Rockets.
41:33Again, points have been
41:34tough to come by here
41:35in this fourth quarter.
41:36Now you've got a min
41:37on the elbow.
41:38There's the double.
41:39Actually got double guys
41:40on the elbow.
41:41Denny Smith up top.
41:43Halfway down.
41:44Popped out.
41:45Offensive rebound.
41:45Terry Eason to Durant.
41:48He misses.
41:49Offensive rebound.
41:50Terry Eason to Durant.
41:52Oh, he misses again.
41:53Offensive rebound.
41:54Terry Eason.
41:56Three in a row.
41:58Can they pay it off?
41:59Back to Durant.
42:00Working on Reeves.
42:02To Smith.
42:03To Torrey.
42:07Shoots.
42:09Misses.
42:10And the Lakers
42:11finally get the board.
42:12LeBron barreling ahead.
42:14LeBron the driving kick.
42:15Reeves open quarter three.
42:17Misses.
42:18He's 0 for 7 from Dre.
42:20My goodness.
42:21Can you believe it?
42:24Houston, you have to finish
42:26one of these possessions.
42:28Oh, God.
42:30It's a violation.
42:31Rockets in.
42:32Are you kidding?
42:33Great second call.
42:34The Rockets, they couldn't
42:35get the ball?
42:37That's off to JJ Redick.
42:39This is throwing off
42:39Houston's complete
42:40offensive rhythm.
42:42Gosh.
42:43That is not good.
42:46Rockets do have the lead.
42:48Three straight offensive
42:49rebound.
42:50Terry Eason.
42:53Again, not much scoring
42:55here in the fourth.
42:56Jabari's got 22, by the way.
42:58To lead the Rockets in scoring
42:59and it's 1-4.52 to go.
43:02By Jack in the Box.
43:04The hot mess is back
43:05as a munchie meal
43:06for Jack's 75th anniversary.
43:09The journeymen and apprentices
43:10at Pike Fitters Local 211.
43:13Answering the call since 1949.
43:15And by your local Toyota dealers.
43:17Toyota, let's go places.
43:23The Rockets have more turnovers
43:25than made shots here
43:26in the second half.
43:27Yet they lead by one
43:28because the Lakers
43:29have only made one shot
43:30in the fourth quarter.
43:32Well, JJ Redick
43:33is stuck with the...
43:34And so here comes Luka,
43:35but he misses the three.
43:37He's stuck with...
43:37It's essentially a jump defense
43:39and it's really thrown Houston off.
43:41They're just saying,
43:41we don't want Durant to beat us.
43:43And there's no Alfred and Shigun
43:45in the short roll
43:46to make things happen.
43:48So Aiden is back out there,
43:50but Clint Capella is not.
43:52Thompson to Smith,
43:53to Durant.
43:54Gotta go here.
43:55Gotta go.
43:56Inside of five on the possession,
43:57two on Durant.
43:58Oh my goodness.
43:59Now to Jabari from the logo.
44:01Another awful possession
44:03for the Rockets.
44:05Yeah, man, you had to look.
44:06And then Thompson came off
44:08the screen from Durant,
44:09but he didn't have a clean handle.
44:11Lakers might...
44:12Lakers are just missing shots.
44:13The Rockets are stacking
44:15terrible possessions
44:16in this second half,
44:18especially since the midway
44:19point of the third quarter.
44:21And you did the right thing.
44:22You put the ball back
44:22in Amin Thompson's hands.
44:24He's been hot.
44:25He's just gotta make those plays.
44:28I mean, they just...
44:29The Lakers are doubling Durant
44:30and the Rockets just can't
44:31figure it out.
44:34Aiden's back.
44:35Houston's still small.
44:37Uh-oh, you got Reed
44:38on Aiden underneath.
44:39They find him.
44:40He puts the ball down,
44:43which is something
44:44you probably should not do
44:46when you're the tallest guy
44:47out there.
44:48But he did, inviting a strip,
44:49but he did get fouled.
44:51Reed Shepard called for the reach.
44:52That's the fourth on Reed.
44:54Second on the Rockets
44:55is a team here on the fourth.
44:57Houston's still leading by one.
44:59There's been virtually no scoring
45:00at all for either team.
45:02He in this fourth quarter.
45:03Luka jumps it off.
45:05Hachimura, no.
45:07Still only one make
45:08from the floor for the Lakers
45:10in the fourth quarter.
45:11One for 13.
45:13Now the Rockets problem
45:13is not missing shots.
45:15They're just not getting any shots
45:16because they keep handing
45:17the ball to the wrong team.
45:18All right, you got him in
45:19on the elbow.
45:20Oh, and Durant
45:20blows it away again.
45:23This is...
45:24It is unsustainable,
45:26all these turnovers.
45:28Smart from Doncic.
45:29No, he misses.
45:31Eight in the rebound.
45:32Back out to Reeves.
45:33Slips by Thompson.
45:35Haynes in the air.
45:36Big shot, no.
45:37Tip, no.
45:38And the rebound.
45:39Terry Easton's gonna be called
45:40for a goaltend.
45:42He was still on the rim
45:44when he touched it.
45:46Only the second basket
45:47for the Lakers
45:48or the fourth
45:48that it came
45:49on a Terry Easton goaltend.
45:51Man, this one was...
45:53Can't tell if it was
45:54gonna come off.
45:55I think it was.
45:56But you can't be shy
45:57in these moments.
45:57You gotta take them.
45:58And if you're Durant,
46:00you're right, Craig.
46:01Just let him be
46:01the screen setter.
46:02Take some responsibility
46:03off of him.
46:04And he's gonna get
46:05somebody wide open.
46:07This film will not be shown
46:08in the Hall of Fame
46:09any time soon.
46:10Smith, no.
46:12This has been
46:12a miserable fourth quarter
46:14for both of these teams.
46:16Yeah, the offensive collapse.
46:21Boucher, short.
46:22Aiden backed out
46:23that the smart to Reeves
46:24is open.
46:25It's a play,
46:26but he absolutely
46:27airmails the shot.
46:29It goes off of
46:30a men Thompson.
46:31The Rockets give the ball
46:32back to the Lakers.
46:33They had eight
46:34on the shot clock.
46:35Reeves is 0 for 8
46:37from 3.
46:39The Lakers are 7 of 33.
46:42And right now,
46:43it's Houston
46:44that's just stumbling.
46:46Not the stretch.
46:47The Rockets are 5 of 25.
46:49Both teams are stumbling
46:50down the stretch.
46:51Here's Luka
46:51posting, fading,
46:52shooting, scoring.
46:56Well, Houston's...
46:57The Lakers are getting looks
46:59and Houston's just
47:00turning the ball over.
47:02Right.
47:02Yeah, they're getting the looks,
47:03just missing shots.
47:04The Rockets aren't getting looks.
47:05They're just turning
47:05the ball over.
47:07Thompson driving on smart.
47:09They fouled him.
47:10Get downhill.
47:11There you go.
47:11That's number 5 on smart.
47:132.22 to go
47:14in what feels like
47:17almost an insurmountable lead
47:19with how bad the offense
47:20has been for both teams
47:21in this fourth quarter.
47:23Lakers are over the foul limit.
47:25And then Thompson
47:26would go to the free throw line
47:28trying to shake off
47:30a little bulky left knee there.
47:32He'll step to the line
47:32and we'll pause
47:33for a word from Nava Law Group.
47:35The Nava Law Group
47:36will get you what you deserve.
47:38Do Not Settle.com
47:49Double-double for Ahmed Thompson.
47:51Rockets now 10-14 at the line.
47:55Get a win for Houston.
47:57Gets them the tiebreaker.
47:58Which, again,
47:59with how tight the standing guard
48:003-7 out west.
48:03Good coming hand.
48:04He makes them both.
48:06Rockets get some points
48:07there on that possession.
48:08A rare score.
48:10Full score on a possession
48:11there.
48:11One-point Lakers lead.
48:14At some point,
48:15Reeves is going to hit a 3.
48:18Marcus Smart again.
48:19And then he and Ahmed Thompson
48:20get tied up behind the ball
48:22and they're going to call
48:23a foul on Ahmed Thompson.
48:25That's number 3
48:27on Ahmed Thompson.
48:29You can't set a pick
48:31like Marcus Smart just said.
48:34Look like he's a fullback
48:36getting into the hole
48:38and...
48:40So 3 on Thompson.
48:42They come in to Luka.
48:51That's back out to LeBron.
48:53Swings it to Smart.
48:54The 43 is open.
48:55In it goes.
48:56You've finally seen
48:57those double teams on Luka
49:00and...
49:01hats off.
49:02Smart's third 3.
49:03He's got 11.
49:04Lakers by 4.
49:05Two minutes to play.
49:07Yeah, but the double team
49:10now is there
49:11and monster shot from Smart
49:13and...
49:15drill foul also.
49:20Kevin Aranda still
49:21yet to score
49:22in the second half.
49:32Nope.
49:36Shepard...
49:36Is it Tari Eason?
49:38That's a 2.
49:39And it's a bad shot as well.
49:41Missed it so badly.
49:433 feet too strong
49:44and it was a 2.
49:45Rocket's fortunate to have it.
49:462.7 on the 24.
49:48But they don't have
49:49a whole lot of time to work.
49:53And everyone's seen
49:54this play from Eason.
49:55He'd like to be able
49:56to go direct to Durant
49:57or the weak side.
49:58They go direct to Reed.
50:00He misses.
50:00Rebound Thompson.
50:01Lost it all the way back down.
50:03Scooped up by Luka.
50:15Ouka on Durant
50:16to LeBron.
50:17Splits two.
50:18Comes in the lane.
50:18He's to dribble alive
50:19as it blocked.
50:20It is cleaned up by eight.
50:24Lakers by six.
50:25Which feels
50:26like a mountain
50:27for the Rockets
50:28to climb with help.
50:29Their offense has been
50:30in the last, say,
50:3118 minutes of this game.
50:33Thompson.
50:34to Eason.
50:35Leaving.
50:36Cut off.
50:37Hands it to Durant.
50:39Gets back to Tari.
50:40Shot put.
50:41Short.
50:42Rebound.
50:42Eight.
50:43Nine to two.
50:44Lakers run.
50:45Rockets running out of time.
50:55Eight scores again.
50:57They're up eight.
50:5811 to two is the run.
51:00Timeout Houston.
51:02They have found
51:04some semblance
51:05the Lakers have
51:05of an offensive rhythm
51:06here over the last
51:07couple of minutes.
51:09Meanwhile,
51:10for the Rockets,
51:11not so much.
51:15It's the 21st score.
51:16A ticket,
51:17a Pepsi
51:18or water,
51:18and a hot dog
51:19as the Rockets take
51:20on the Miami Heat.
51:20Secure your tickets
51:21now at Rockets.com.
51:25Rockets haven't hit a shot
51:26since about the
51:27six-minute mark
51:27of the quarter.
51:29They've watched
51:29Kevin Durant
51:30get doubled
51:30over and over
51:31and over again
51:32just as he crosses
51:33midcourt.
51:34And it's resulted
51:36in turnover
51:36after turnover
51:37after turnover
51:38and an offense
51:38that has just
51:41stalled out
51:42and then off
51:43the timeout
51:43and the inbounds.
51:45A horrendous inbounds.
51:47A dunk for LeBron.
51:49The icing on the cake
51:50and a big win
51:51for the Lakers.
51:56Just a brutal
51:57last 18 minutes
51:58for the Rockets.
51:59At some point
52:00near the Lakers
52:00would find some
52:01offensive rhythm.
52:01They were just
52:02missing shots.
52:03The Rockets' offense,
52:04their whole system
52:05was off.
52:09Durant finally gets
52:09his first points
52:10of the half.
52:12But barring
52:13some kind of
52:14crazy miracle.
52:17And LeBron plays
52:18ahead to Smart.
52:19They play Kukaway.
52:20Lakers are going
52:21to extend
52:22their streaks.
52:25Six straight overall,
52:27nine wins
52:27in their last ten.
52:29The last quarter
52:31of this game
52:31was not pretty
52:33for either team.
52:35But again,
52:36the Lakers
52:36in the last couple
52:37of the minutes
52:37found just enough
52:38of an offensive rhythm
52:40while the Rockets
52:40did not at all.
52:42And the Lakers
52:43come in here,
52:43get the win
52:44with another game
52:45coming between
52:46these two teams
52:46here on Wednesday night.
52:51the final,
52:53an ugly final.
52:54Lakers 100,
52:55Rockets 92.
52:58LeBron James
52:59finishes with 18 points.
53:00They close the game
53:02on a 13-4 run.
53:04And the Rockets
53:05commit 24 turnovers
53:07tonight,
53:0817 in the second half,
53:10nine in the fourth quarter.
53:12Quick look at the Rockets'
53:13upcoming schedule here
53:14presented by
53:15Kaplan Sinus Relief.
53:19Lakers again here
53:20on Wednesday
53:20and then you got
53:21the Hawks and Heat
53:22and then the Rockets
53:23hit the road in Chicago
53:24at Minnesota
53:25and then a couple
53:26of more road games
53:27at Memphis
53:27and at New Orleans.
53:30Lakers even up
53:30the series 1-1.
53:31They win it 100-92.
53:33We'll be back
53:34with more in a moment.
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