Skip to playerSkip to main content
closejfz936
  • 2 days ago
Transcript
00:00Both of these guys have been spectacular, but we're definitely on the latter half.
00:05We're going downhill right now, but I think that makes each matchup the more special.
00:10So we'll see what they can do.
00:12I mean, these are the old guys still making it happen, so it's great to watch.
00:15Yeah, and it's great to watch in different environments.
00:17Now, LeBron, maybe quote-unquote role player, we'll get to that.
00:20But KD is still leading this Houston Rockets team.
00:23How have you seen him operate in this offense here lately?
00:25Well, I mean, it's been very interesting with KD.
00:27I mean, he's one of those guys you can put him all over the court.
00:30You can post him up, but I think he's most dangerous when he's playing off the ball
00:34because then you really can't key up on him.
00:37You look right here, he gets the ball, he's being wrestled.
00:41He still can come back to the one-on-one.
00:43He's still got that move.
00:44He's still got an excellent mid-range game.
00:47He can take guys off the dribble.
00:49But I find when he's handling the ball a little bit too much, the defense can really key in on
00:56him.
00:56Right here, you're seeing him come in a pick-and-roll.
00:59His guys have to be a little bit more aggressive.
01:02This gets him wide-open threes.
01:04You definitely want to close to him.
01:06That's almost pretty much automatic.
01:08But I think for him, the best thing he can do to keep leading this Houston team,
01:13play off the ball, give him a mix of both, and just be KD.
01:17That's what makes him special.
01:18His ability to knock down a three.
01:20He can post up.
01:21He can take it to the basket.
01:23He can play off the dribble.
01:24He can play pick-and-roll.
01:25And he's an excellent passer.
01:27I mean, he's an absolute offensive treasure.
01:29And you should embrace every time you see him.
01:31Yeah, we thought he was going to have Fred VanVleet.
01:33Didn't have him from the start of the year.
01:35Elper and Shen Goon will not play in this game.
01:37And so, Scal, he has had to carry more of a load than a guy at 36 years old.
01:42I don't know how much he loves doing that on a nightly basis.
01:45But I think on any given night, KD can have those moments where he can have 50 points.
01:52Those throwback games when he was with the Oklahoma City's under.
01:54I'm not sure he could do that every night, but I know that he could do it.
01:58That would be the question, right, going into the postseason here.
02:00What do you have as a team around KD?
02:03They can get into the playoffs.
02:04They're in that position right now.
02:05But as a postseason team, how do you see him?
02:07Well, I mean, it's not what he signed up for, like you said, because Fred VanVleet is out.
02:11But he's still KD.
02:13I think if you build a good game plan around him, he's going to be able to use his length
02:16to get great shots.
02:18On the defensive end, too, he can use his length, play some great defense.
02:22I think the big challenge at 36 years old is finding out how to muster up that young man
02:27inside and continue to have that production.
02:30I think that's every athlete's challenge.
02:32So even though we're looking for him not to do as much, I'm pretty sure in his mind,
02:38he's up for the challenge.
02:39He's saying he can do it, and I don't think anybody would see them being a top-four team
02:44without VanVleet.
02:44Role players need to step up as we switch over to the Lakers.
02:47Their guard, Marcus Smart, scored 21 his last game.
02:50His most in the last 25 games caught up with Ashley Shammity earlier tonight.
02:55All right, Marcus, you guys are coming into this one.
02:57Winners of eight of your last nine.
02:59What has been the common denominator for the success of this team in the month of March?
03:03Just continue to play.
03:05Focus on the things that we can control, and that's our effort.
03:08Our ability to trust one another and go out there and leave it on the court.
03:12Marcus, we've seen the kind of player that you are throughout the years of your career.
03:16For you, though, what are your non-negotiables, especially for this team,
03:20and what you bring to the court every time you step out there?
03:22Never take anything for granted.
03:24We're very talented, especially on that offensive end.
03:27And, you know, some things, sometimes when you've got talent like that, things can, you know,
03:32we start presenting challenges towards ourselves for no reason.
03:35And, you know, we start thinking, oh, we can wait until the next game.
03:38And for me, it's just making sure that everybody knows, you know, don't take this for granted.
03:42Go out there, leave it out on the court, and go on to the next game.
03:45And real quick, I got one.
03:46The importance of these next two games.
03:47You guys get to unpack your bags a bit here in Houston.
03:49The implications of this one, just with where you both are at in the Western Conference.
03:53It's huge.
03:54You know, we're playing against a really good team.
03:56And, you know, who's been fighting all year, just like us, for a spot in the playoff race
04:01and trying to, you know, implement themselves.
04:03And, you know, we're neck and neck.
04:05And, you know, with them leading us 1-0, these two games, definitely going to decide,
04:09you know, the tiebreaker and things like that.
04:11And it's going to be a playoff experience for us.
04:13And we've been having those all year, so hopefully we can go and continue to get better at it.
04:17Marcus, thanks so much.
04:18Good luck.
04:18Thank you, guys.
04:19Scal, coming into the year, we knew it was going to be Luka's team eventually passing
04:23the torch from LeBron to Luka.
04:25What does that look like to you right now?
04:26I mean, he is a special offensive player, elite.
04:29He can get people involved, get downhill.
04:32He can score it himself.
04:34He can make big shots.
04:35Like, there's nothing offensively that this guy can't do.
04:38And I think the difference for the Lakers right now is they're guarding.
04:41But Luka is getting everyone involved.
04:44DeAndre Ayton, here he is, LeBron James, in transition.
04:47You saw Austin Reeves earlier.
04:48He can get people involved.
04:50He can do it himself.
04:50He has shots like this.
04:51There's not a shot that he can't make.
04:53Right, right, left.
04:54He can do it all.
04:55Look at him moving the ball right here.
04:56Down the lane, he sees a gap on the cut.
05:00So, for Luka, it's just going to be about the consistency of being able to guard and not
05:06get disrupted by the officials.
05:08And here in a close game, remember, Lakers number two in the NBA in net rating and clutch
05:13situations.
05:13A lot of that has to do with Luka and Luka magic as he knocks down the fadeaway to give
05:18them the ultimate lead against Denver.
05:20I think the biggest difference I've seen is, look how fast Luka's moving.
05:24I mean, before, he would give it to you low and slow, and he can still get 50 that way,
05:2930 a night.
05:30But him having more of a pace, him getting his teammates involved, if he's moving at a
05:35certain speed, you have to react to it.
05:38Just the fact that he's cutting off the ball, doing those other things, as opposed to just
05:43ISOing all the time, I think that could make him more of a dangerous player.
05:47And now we transition to LeBron James as a role player.
05:51And you know how we know he's a role player?
05:52No, he's a role player.
05:53You know why?
05:54Because he's diving for loose balls.
05:55And that's what I did when I played high school basketball.
05:58And that's what a role player does.
05:59I think the role is he wants to win.
06:02Yeah.
06:02And I think LeBron can do anything it takes to win.
06:04Right.
06:05That's a role player.
06:06That's a role player.
06:07That's a big play late in the game.
06:08Like, they made all the plays.
06:10And come on, if you're on the Lakers and you see LeBron James do that, that's the standard
06:14that he's setting.
06:15You have to follow that.
06:16You definitely have to follow that.
06:17And I think one of the scary things that we're not talking about in this position,
06:21Luka can make LeBron better.
06:23Could you imagine in a situation, LeBron playing off the ball, Luka actually finding him and
06:28making him better, him getting spot up threes, easy cuts to the basket.
06:32I think he wants to be in this role right now.
06:35And it's another part for him to master.
06:37So I told you Alperin Shangun is out.
06:39So Clint Capella is going to get his second start of the season.
06:41And now he goes up against DeAndre Ayton.
06:43You remember that just a couple of weeks ago, DeAndre Ayton?
06:46Yeah.
06:46He said, he goes, he walks away from interview.
06:48They go, they're trying to make me into Clint Capella.
06:49Well, Clint heard that.
06:51And he shot back on Instagram and be like, boy, you could be Clint Capella and be okay
06:55because you're playing with a couple of good players around you.
06:57Hey, who had a better career?
06:59Clint Capella has done a lot of winning.
07:01He's done a lot of winning.
07:03Hey, I know, I know DeAndre Ayton, your story is not written yet, but Clint Capella,
07:06he ain't never got waived out of a max contract.
07:09Just saying.
07:10Okay.
07:11All right.
07:11He's got that on him.
07:12Tonight's DraftKings Sportsbook update.
07:14Taking a look at the race to 15 presented by DraftKings Sportsbook.
07:17Lakers and Rockets, even odds to get to 15 points.
07:21That's minus 110 each.
07:23This is going to be a good one.
07:25You got Lakers.
07:26You got Rockets.
07:27You got LeBron.
07:28You got KD.
07:29You got Noah Eagle, Mike Fratello, and Ashley Chalmity on the call.
07:33Oh, reverse power skips.
07:34I've got to get that in my game.
07:36And look at that all smooth, silky, swish, nothing but net.
07:48Welcome to Peacock NBA Monday, presented by Xfinity.
07:55They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it doesn't get much bigger than this two-game
08:01mini-series ahead for the Lakers and the Rockets.
08:04Bunched together in the Western Conference standings.
08:07The Lakers currently in third, only half a game ahead of the Rockets, battling for those
08:13final spots outside of the play-in and in the playoffs.
08:17And these are going to be critical as we head down the stretch of the regular season.
08:21We are so glad you could join us tonight.
08:23From Peacock NBA Monday, we welcome you to Houston, Noah Eagle, the Tsar of the Telestrator,
08:27Mike Fratello, Ashley Chalmity.
08:29Coach, we look at this matchup.
08:31Two games ahead for these two teams, back-to-back against one another.
08:34The Rockets 3-3 in their last six, and they feel like a win tonight could really put them
08:38in the right direction.
08:39Rockets looking to get back to the chemistry they had, the intensity that they had, the
08:45togetherness.
08:45Listen, let's keep in mind, this season, not four times they play each other, you've
08:50seen just three.
08:51So at the end of these two games, somebody will hold the edge in case there needs to be
08:56a tiebreaker.
08:57Well, the Lakers have felt that already with wins against Denver and Minnesota.
09:00Most recently, J.J. Redick has treated each of those like playoff games, so they feel prepared
09:05for this.
09:05They're also playing some of their best basketball of the season.
09:08Well, when you're healthy, totally healthy, you can do that.
09:11And they've gone to a nine-man rotation now.
09:14The chemistry is terrific with them.
09:16They really like each other this time of the season.
09:19That's why they're playing so well.
09:21Connectivity has been the key word for the Lakers, and that continues with this starting
09:25unit.
09:26Donchich, Reeves, Smart, LeBron James, and DeAndre Ayton will be the first five out there
09:31for J.J. Redick.
09:33As for the Rockets, slight tweak with no Alperin, Shen Goon missing his second straight game with
09:38a back injury.
09:39They're going to go Clint Capella as the man in the middle, along with Thompson, Eason Durant.
09:44And Jabari Smith, Jr., the 15th different starting lineup for the Rockets, the fourth
09:48fewest different starting units in the NBA this season.
09:52You see LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
09:54They have met so many times over the course of their illustrious careers together.
09:59And yet another one, the 45th head-to-head meeting between LeBron and Kevin Durant, regular
10:05season and postseason combined.
10:06They also will set the record tonight for most combined points from two players in a head-to-head
10:12with over 75,000 between the two of them.
10:16He can't even fathom.
10:17That's impossible.
10:18Yes.
10:20Our officials tonight, James Williams in year number 16 as an NBA official, Ray Acosta
10:25in year number nine, and Jason Goldenberg also in his ninth season in the association.
10:31Capella and Ayton, there has been a lot of chatter with those two names, and they will jump
10:37it up to get us started.
10:38Second of three meetings, and a critical one in the Western Conference.
10:42It looked like they were ready.
10:43Ray Acosta put it up in the air, and they're going to have to re-jump this one up.
10:48Bet you, he looked at both guys and decided that, but these guys ready or not, he just wanted
10:53to toss it.
10:54It was a nice toss, too.
10:55Put it right on the money.
10:57So we'll do it again, and this time Aiden tips it.
10:59Eason claims it away from Reeves.
11:01We are underway as the Rockets look to make it two consecutive wins.
11:04The Lakers try to extend to a six-game winning streak after the opening.
11:08Overtime victory two days ago against the Denver Nuggets.
11:11Amen Thompson has seen his point guard role really expand this season with the injury
11:16preseason of Fred Van Gleet.
11:17One play to get Capella rolling to the rim, and he's fouled by Marcus Smart.
11:21He'll get two free throws.
11:22All the times that Capella rolled to the rim, James Harden was over the ball to Capella.
11:28Capella, one of the best at getting to the front of the rim.
11:30Also, one of the best at getting second shot opportunities.
11:34And that's what this Houston Rockets team has excelled in all season, but they've taken
11:38a dip in their offensive rebounding and really overall tenacity after the injury to Steven
11:43Adams.
11:44And the ankle injury keeping him out for the rest of the year.
11:47You see Alperin Shang-Goon, the two-time All-Star, out with a back injury tonight.
11:50But without Adams, head coach Ime Udoka really was hopeful that in these final 20 or so games,
11:57just under 20 games in the regular season, they can find some of that nasty again on the court.
12:01Well, what Adams did, it allowed them, if they wanted to, to play really big.
12:05He brought that physicality.
12:07You know, last time these teams played, back on December 25th, 48-25, Houston out, rebounded.
12:13The Lakers.
12:14Doncic misses on that one.
12:15Here comes Kevin Durant, averaging 26 points per game at 37-plus years old.
12:22Shovel pass.
12:23It's Capella rocking the rim early.
12:26And you like the ability of giving it up.
12:28They ran a little baseline cut to open up Thompson, and then he immediately gets up right back
12:33to Capella in front of the rim.
12:35An early statement from Capella, attacking the interior.
12:39Speaking of, it's Doncic with a floater.
12:43The interesting thing about Doncic, no, is I don't care what you do during the course of
12:49the game, you're never going to speed up Luka Doncic.
12:53He's going to play at his speed, the way he wants to play.
12:56Steel for the Lakers, up ahead, it's Reeves.
12:59Leave it for LeBron.
13:01He got quite the ovation as he was introduced during the starting lineups, and he's got his
13:05first bucket to give the Lakers their first lead.
13:08You see both teams starting out very unselfishly giving up the basketball.
13:13Drive and kick, Jabbar Smith.
13:15Emile Doka says he is an inflection point for this team, and showing off the aggression
13:19early, this offense is at its best when he's at his best, but a delay of game warning against
13:24the Rockets as they regain a one-point advantage.
13:27Early in the season, Smith really struggled to make shots on a regular basis, but he's
13:33become more and more consistent over the last month and a half.
13:36I imagine that it's more fun to have to tell a player as a coach, hey, we'd like for you
13:42to shoot even more, as Reeves can't get the tough finish, then for the opposite.
13:47Well, if you're the number one rebounding, offensive rebounding team in the NBA, you can
13:50tell them that, because they're going to get it back most times.
13:53That's good point.
13:54This guy doesn't miss very often.
13:56It's Durant against LeBron, can't hit the chase.
14:00Reeves claims the rebound, coming off a 32.7 rebound, 6 assist performance, in which he
14:05missed a free throw on purpose, to eventually get a rebound and tie the game against Denver,
14:09sent it to overtime.
14:11As Aiden can't hit on that, Jay, Reeves has been playing some elite basketball, 30-plus
14:16points in each of his last three games, along with Doncic, who had a 30-point triple-double
14:20in the win over Denver.
14:21And LeBron James was diving headfirst for loose balls, first time that J.J. Reddick said
14:26he's ever seen that in the 23-year career of LeBron, as Smith goes 2-for-2 in the mid
14:31-range.
14:31And the reason is, because of a size advantage, you saw him elevate, get up above the defender,
14:37clean look at the basket, and we know, Emmanuel Dawkins loves to play long teams, long basketball
14:43players.
14:44Doncic, a long shot, doesn't go.
14:47Smith, 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he was so enticing out of Auburn, because of
14:52the offensive skill set that went with those intangibles.
14:56On the drive, and Dash Thompson filling the lane.
15:00One of the questions that we asked, Emmanuel Dawkins, do you think you could have picked
15:05up another pole ball with the loss of Fred Van Leet, and he said, you know what, we made
15:09the decision to go with our young guys, and I can see him giving it up right here, making
15:14good plays.
15:15Doncic, this time he gets it to go.
15:18And KD, they're going to be talking all night, two of the top trash talkers in the NBA going
15:23toe-to-toe.
15:25Thompson gets right underneath, Aiden trying to stay with him, bounce for Durant, right
15:30into the jumper for two.
15:32Nice move by Kevin Durant.
15:33He's so smart, turned his head and looked at the basketball, he moved without it, went behind
15:38him, his teammate rewarded him with the pass.
15:4132,206 career points coming into this game.
15:45He is getting closer and closer to top five all-time on the NBA scoring list.
15:50On the back down, here's Doncic using that frame against Smith, push it up, and in.
15:54One of the top first quarter scorers in NBA's recent memory, getting it done again.
15:59You tend to forget about Doncic's size.
16:02He's big, he's strong.
16:04When he gets down low, pretty tough to stop him.
16:07He's got seven of the nine Laker points to go with the LeBron jam.
16:11Here's Durant, one for two to start this game.
16:14He's got the size mismatch on Reeves, double comes with LeBron, find the open man.
16:18It's Eason, it's in and out.
16:22James, open floor.
16:25This is what the fans came here to Houston to see.
16:27LeBron James and Kevin Durant squaring off for the 45th time in their careers.
16:32Aiton had it ripped, Eason got a hand on it.
16:35Doncic recovers, finds the space.
16:37That's too easy.
16:39If you give him the ball 14 feet from the basket with the glass to use, like I said,
16:45not many times is he going to miss that one.
16:47It's a guy who's averaging over 11 points per game in the first.
16:50He's got the last seven for the Lakers to tie him.
16:53Eason, hesitant.
16:54And just missed it, lost his rhythm, good crash, but Thompson couldn't squeeze it.
16:59Up ahead, behind the defense, it's James!
17:03LeBron added another poster to his all-time collection.
17:09He played against Jabari Smith Sr., and he just sunk Jabari Smith Jr.
17:17What an emphatic statement from the King.
17:20Watch your head in Houston.
17:24This guy can still get it done.
17:26Marcus Smart has put on Kevin Durant to be physical.
17:29Get his body up into him, try to take him out of his game.
17:32This time, Smart turns his head a little bit to watch where the basketball is.
17:36When he turns his head and tries to deny the ball out, watch Kevin Durant move without the basketball.
17:43Veteran guy knows where to go to receive an open pass.
17:46You put him on the foul line, he's going to make it most times.
17:50Our first telestrator of the night.
17:52It only took five minutes and 20 seconds off the clock.
17:56Did you want one a little bit sooner?
17:58I had the under, yeah.
18:00You need to let both teams know that they have to do something special early.
18:03Good point.
18:04Either way, some slight changes.
18:07These are the two lowest scoring benches in the NBA.
18:10The lowest scoring bench, Houston at 28.5 points per game.
18:14The Lakers at 29 points per game.
18:16And they'll get Akogi and Reed Shepard on the floor.
18:19Rui Hachimura will do the same for the Lakers.
18:22Wetness on the court.
18:23So they're wiping it down over around the sidelines,
18:26making sure everything is safe to return for play.
18:29The question is whether or not there was spillage.
18:31I do see some fans that have some guilty smiles, shall we call them?
18:37But we're ready to go.
18:3817 to shoot now for Houston.
18:42Akogi in for Durant.
18:44All 13 Laker points coming from LeBron and Luka.
18:48Capella handed.
18:49Durant on the outside.
18:51Durant bodying up Reeves.
18:53That's just too good for Kevin Durant.
18:55And we saw that in length paying off against Smith earlier,
18:58shooting up over the small defender that time.
19:00Kevin Durant.
19:02His efficiency numbers are still out of this world.
19:0651.5% from the floor.
19:0840.6% from three.
19:10And 88.6% from the free throw line as Reeves midfires from three.
19:15Durant's had two seasons in his career where he's gone 50-40-90.
19:19That's an illustrious club.
19:20Only nine players in the history of the NBA have been a part of.
19:24Here's Durant.
19:25Doubled immediately by James.
19:27He's seen this often for this Houston team.
19:29And a throwaway.
19:30Capella couldn't claim it.
19:32Hachimura on the run.
19:33Sidesteps and finishes.
19:35No, that's one of the things you have to look for.
19:37If they're going to try to take Durant out of the game by going to double teaming him,
19:42his passing is definitely effective.
19:44He's got to minimize the number of turnovers that he has versus these double teams.
19:49Evening Hadoka has been honest about that.
19:51Goes back to Jabari Smith Jr.
19:53But he said guys like Reed Shepard as Morant this time forces his way to his spot.
19:57And Tari Eason, they all need to step up when their number's called as well.
20:02Series of screens for Luka Doncic.
20:04That's way too much space.
20:06Money.
20:09Luka looks like he's got a goal early on here.
20:12He's smiling.
20:12He's happy with the shots he's getting.
20:14And he's really happy that the shots are going down.
20:17He's got 12 midway through this opening quarter.
20:20Capella right at 8-0.
20:21And a loose ball foul going the other way.
20:24I would not categorize that as a Kareem hook shot like that.
20:28Now, watch the double team now.
20:29Durant, two bodies on him, makes the pass, winds up being a turnover.
20:33The Lakers go down, look to score in transition.
20:37Nice job by the defense, squeezing that trap on Durant.
20:41Lakers' bottom half of the NBA in fast break points, 14-and-a-half.
20:44But they're just inside the top half of the lead.
20:46There's a steal and a finish.
20:48Okoge with a hustle.
20:50Thompson, the beneficiary.
20:51Nice denial that time by Okoge.
20:54Wanted to force in the terminal.
20:55They got a score.
20:57Luke Kennard in the game for the Lakers.
20:59The trade deadline acquisition from Atlanta.
21:01Handed it off for Doncic, who has been cooking early.
21:04Now he's got to Kogi, the physical defender, on him.
21:07Doncic fade and finish.
21:09Luka domination in this opening corner.
21:13Doncic starting out 6 of 8 from the floor.
21:1814 points.
21:20Lee Shepard can't get it back.
21:21And 8 clears.
21:24Lee Shepard, as you know, has his own fan club here in Houston.
21:28Because they want Reed Shepard in the starting lineup.
21:31They feel his shooting is so good that he should be there.
21:34This is where he's trying to continue to improve defensively.
21:38That was tricky from Austin Reeves.
21:40And Reeves can really score.
21:43This guy has steadily grown each season in the NBA to prove it.
21:4730 points a night for nothing, man.
21:50Neither is this guy.
21:51He scores 30 in his sleep.
21:53A walking bucket.
21:54Kevin Durant.
21:56He's got 8, 4 of 5 early.
21:59Doncic leading the way with 14.
22:01Reeves had it ripped.
22:02Got it right back with 14 to shoot.
22:04Thompson steps up.
22:06Ayton comes to set the screen.
22:07Switch.
22:09Bounce.
22:09Ayton.
22:10Fumble.
22:10And turn it over.
22:13He never got a chance to roll deep because the offside defender for Houston came in.
22:18Put a body in there.
22:19He was watching the body, looking for the ball.
22:21That's why he dropped it.
22:23Houston 9 of 14 from the floor, but 0 of 3 from downtown.
22:26That's been the main area of concern offensively this season.
22:30They've been efficient everywhere but the outside.
22:32On the drive.
22:33Pull up.
22:34Thompson.
22:34That was too tough in the middle of traffic.
22:37Saved by Capella into the hands of Hachimura.
22:40Pushing 3 to play in this opening quarter.
22:42Lakers 10 of 15 from the floor.
22:442 of 4 from downtown.
22:46Hachimura with the size advantage.
22:48Spray it out.
22:49Kinnar wide open.
22:51You just don't see him miss when he's got that much space.
22:53No, I like that pickup.
22:54Kinnar.
22:55He's such a good shooter.
22:56On the attack.
22:58Thompson no.
23:01Transition opportunity for Donchish.
23:04Still playing at his pace.
23:06Lovat inside.
23:07Hachimura with position.
23:08And slam.
23:10The Lakers living above the rim early.
23:13Well, that's what happens in transition.
23:15Reed Shepard is much smaller than Hachimura.
23:17Obviously, was posted up in the post.
23:20They threw it over the top.
23:21They get a score off it.
23:23Durant, a series of moves.
23:25Hooks it outside for Okoge.
23:27Drive on Kinnar.
23:28It's passed to Thompson.
23:31It's a rim party in Houston.
23:34The Rockets taking off to get it back within a bucket.
23:37Let's take a look at our DraftKings live spread.
23:42Rockets trying to climb their way back into it in this opening quarter.
23:45DraftKings, the number one sportsbook for live betting.
23:48To get in on the action, download the app and use promo code DUNK when you sign up.
23:55Try the new Peacock performance view and experience real-time player stats and live shot data
24:00that updates with every basket.
24:02Available now only on Peacock.
24:05216 to play this opening quarter.
24:07And coach, both these teams shooting effectively early on.
24:10Yeah, both coaches emphasize the pride they have in defense.
24:12But right now, Houston's shooting 59%, 10 of 17.
24:16Then you look on the other side, the number one team in the NBA.
24:20If you'll go percentage of the Lakers at 65% right now.
24:2411 of 17.
24:26The discrepancy for L.A.
24:28They have really locked in defensively over the last month and a half or so of the season,
24:33especially from three-point range, allowing teams only 33% from the outside.
24:38Two minutes to play in this opening quarter.
24:39Benny Smith, the former Laker, against Doncic, his two-time teammate.
24:43Around it goes.
24:44And Marcus Smart gets the roll from three.
24:47How many guys can do that from the corner?
24:49Hit the side of the rim and get it to bounce up and in.
24:51I think Kawhi Leonard has done that a few times.
24:53Just a couple.
24:54Oh, yeah.
24:55Marcus Smart's feeling it after a huge game.
24:5721 points, five steals in the win over Denver,
25:00holding Jamal Murray to one of his worst shooting performances of his career.
25:04Seven to shoot now for Shepard on the outside.
25:06Screen comes from Smith.
25:07Short roll.
25:08Smith, following, goes.
25:11His job of catching in, stopping short of the full roll,
25:15and then elevating and knocking down the short jump shot.
25:17Nice pass by Shepard.
25:21Doncic up to 14 in this opening quarter.
25:23Again, against his former teammate, Vinny Smith.
25:25He goes right to the rack and floats it home.
25:28Look, with LeBron taking the break now, this is Doncic's time.
25:32Ball's going to be in his hands most times before he comes out.
25:35He's going to get those shots up.
25:37One minute to play in the opening quarter.
25:40Shepard, only one shot attempt in his first six minutes.
25:43Now he's dancing on Jackson Hayes into the game.
25:46Seven to shoot.
25:47On the pop, Smith, extra, Thompson will fire.
25:51Rebound, bat it right into the hands of Thompson.
25:54Shepard, a lot of space.
25:56Can't hit.
25:56Long rebound, third chance for Houston.
25:58It's Shepard on a relocate.
26:00He connects on three.
26:03The confidence they have in Reed Shepard to make shots.
26:06He had lost a little bit there when he missed that first one
26:09because he's rushing the second one knowing the defenders are running at him.
26:12Doncic on the two for one.
26:14Rebound hooked to the outside.
26:16Just a three-second different shot clock and game clock.
26:21It's Shepard.
26:24First three of the game on that last possession for Houston.
26:27Ten to shoot now for the Rockets.
26:31Shepard, cross, drive.
26:34Shepard!
26:36Since when does he get up like that?
26:40It's a Reed rim rattler.
26:42One-point game.
26:43Kick it out.
26:44Rui Hachimura can't hit the three.
26:47And what a finish for the second-year man out of Kentucky.
26:49A flurry at the end of the first.
26:52Never would have thought that that was going to happen.
26:54I thought he might try to shake him and step back for a three.
26:57He said he attacked and dumped it down with not one, but two hands for Reed Shepard.
27:06Check out Courtside Live, presented by Xfinity on Peacock,
27:09a brand-new feature that puts you right at center court.
27:12Browse multiple camera angles on your own terms without losing focus on the game.
27:16Find Courtside Live on the NBA Hub in the Peacock app.
27:19This is basketball like you've never seen it before.
27:23What a finish for the first quarter for the Rockets,
27:25led by their second-year man, Reed Shepard, getting it done.
27:29Reed Shepard shooting 39% for the season from the three-point line.
27:34Missed his first two, but then when they stayed with him,
27:37he knocks down a big three.
27:38I have no stat sheet that says he dunks with two hands.
27:42Goes to the basket.
27:44They love it, his teammates.
27:46It is live in Houston as we check in for the first time with Ashley Shepard.
27:51Well, guys, Reed Shepard just showing up his bag of tricks,
27:55and Fred VanVleet was more than impressed,
27:57giving Reed a round of applause in this last title.
27:59I talked to Reed just about his increased role,
28:02his relationship with Fred specifically,
28:03and he said, man, he has been so huge for me, especially this year.
28:07He said he and Fred watched film together during the games,
28:09Fred showing him clips, helping him out with different scenarios.
28:12He's just learned so much from him.
28:14They work out together as well.
28:15Says he's pushed him tremendously this year alone.
28:19And also, guys, I just found out from one of the performance members
28:21for the Rockets, the 2024 NBA Combine,
28:25Reed had one of the highest verticals.
28:27So maybe he'd be as surprised about that dunk.
28:29Well, I think he definitely just turned some heads.
28:31I'm not sure that Fred VanVleet is putting one down with two hands like that.
28:35But the leadership that VanVleet has provided,
28:38likely done for the year.
28:39You never know.
28:40Crazy things have happened, as we saw in Boston with Jason Tatum's return.
28:44But out with the torn ACL as James Levitates couldn't finish.
28:47And the rebound falls to Jabari Smith, Jr.
28:50VanVleet gave him that pojo on the floor.
28:53He was the leader of this team.
28:54Shepard from downtown.
28:56He just could not rattle at home, but he's feeling himself early,
29:00rightfully so, after the finish of the first.
29:02Reeves!
29:02That was a quick beat to the bucket.
29:05He gets you going as if he's coming to the middle of the floor.
29:08Then he quick crosses over to the right hand,
29:10turns the corner, and puts it in.
29:1331-28.
29:15Reeves with four points.
29:16Donchett's led all scores in that opening quarter with 16.
29:19Durant had eight.
29:22Shepard had the final five.
29:23Looking for more.
29:24Spray it out.
29:25Thompson can't hit the three.
29:27And it's a loose ball foul staying here,
29:29as Capella did some work on the glass.
29:31And Jackson Hayes will pick it up.
29:36So, Kennard will sit.
29:37LaRavia in.
29:38Another look at this try from Reeves.
29:40Watch it's in his left hand.
29:41You think he's going middle?
29:43No.
29:43Crosses over at the last second.
29:45Goes right to the rim with one dribble from the crossover move.
29:49Something that J.J. Redick mentioned with Austin Reeves.
29:52The confidence.
29:53They tell him that they want him to become Mr. Laker.
29:56That's their vision for him.
29:58He is not only a fan favorite,
30:00but he provides everything for the team scoring,
30:03passing, rebounding.
30:04He's taken a ton of charges this year.
30:06Top five in the NBA in that category.
30:08As Smith lines one up and knocks it down from the outside.
30:11And Smith talking to himself a little bit out there,
30:14saying, look, I got it going now.
30:15I've got it going.
30:16Because, as I mentioned,
30:17out of my month and a half,
30:18he was struggling shooting the ball.
30:20He's getting it back down.
30:21Well, we just saw the improvement from Austin Reeves
30:23that J.J. Redick's talked about.
30:24The hand-to-hand combat on both ends of the floor.
30:28They've really challenged him defensively,
30:29but this is where he can be incredibly dangerous,
30:32drawing fouls, using his physicality,
30:35and then getting others involved.
30:36Look, every team has a player that teams pick on
30:40in the scouting floor talking about personnel.
30:43They pick on a guy,
30:44so what they do is they try to run those little dribble-weave things
30:47to get the switches to wind up picking on a certain player.
30:51Well, Reeves was one of those guys a while back,
30:53so we're trying to get him to compete harder for defense today.
30:56What a block by Thompson on the outside,
30:58using that long reach.
31:00In transition, nearly threw it away.
31:02James, oh, he got the spin!
31:04The English on the ground,
31:05and the recovery from Phinney Smith.
31:07It'll stay with the Lakers.
31:09DFS is asking Emeo Doka to challenge the call.
31:13That was a wacky sequence between the two former teammates,
31:16and then they caught him sleeping.
31:18Houston wasn't prepared, and Reeves takes advantage.
31:21Shepard just said to the official,
31:22you gave him the ball so quick,
31:24we never were set up.
31:25Fishel said, that's your problem, not mine.
31:28Well, he had the early jump ball,
31:30and now the quick inbound on the easy deuce.
31:34Thompson driving kick, extra.
31:36Smith, pump, drive, Smith, style.
31:40Thompson had it knocked away.
31:42Another turnover forced by the Lakers.
31:45Reeves off the screen from LaRavia.
31:49LaRavia has seen his minutes go down a bit,
31:51but he has still been effective when his number's been called.
31:54As Smart missed it off the side of the backboard,
31:55and right on cue,
31:56Jake LaRavia doing the dirty work.
31:59Second chance points.
32:00Emeo Doka has seen enough
32:01as the Lakers get it back to a four-point game.
32:059.37 to play in the first half.
32:07Back and forth in a huge Western Cup.
32:09Welcome back to Houston.
32:11Just under 10 minutes here in the second quarter.
32:13The Lakers leading it so far.
32:15Now, although this has been going on for the last 18 years,
32:19when the two superstars of LeBron James
32:21and Kevin Durant meet on the court,
32:23it's kind of like a blast from the past
32:25back to 2008 when they first met on this court.
32:28The list of successes for Durant and James is very long.
32:31But talking to Katie earlier today,
32:33he told me those years when he was with OKC
32:35and LeBron with Cleveland,
32:36where the two battled year after year,
32:38said those are some of his best memories in this sport.
32:41He said it wasn't just because
32:42he was surrounded by two teams.
32:44He said the fans would also ask the question,
32:46who's better?
32:47Who's going to put up more points that night?
32:48Said that friendly competition amongst fans
32:50was such a cool element to their story
32:52and it's still happening today.
32:53Also says he remembers the very first time he faced LeBron.
32:57Said it was a bad game in Cleveland.
32:58LeBron didn't even play in the fourth quarter.
33:01As the Rockets put up three more points.
33:03But he said as a rookie,
33:04he was just putting up shot after shot.
33:05So they did end up scoring more than him.
33:08It's a blowout loss.
33:08But man, he said one of those matchups
33:10then is still how he feels to this day, guys,
33:13playing LeBron.
33:14I love that Kevin is so honest,
33:16that he loves the chatter from the fans.
33:18Something that he's talked about at great lengths
33:20of really enjoying as a part of this season.
33:23About to be called on Capella there.
33:25But so many great moments between the two of them.
33:28The 45th head-to-head meeting between LeBron and Durant.
33:30Regular season and postseason combined.
33:33As mentioned,
33:33they set the record tonight
33:34for most combined career points
33:37between the two players
33:38and over 75,000
33:40between the two of them.
33:41And Durant slowly but surely
33:43making his way up
33:44the all-time list as well.
33:46He's on pace to pass Michael Jordan
33:47for the fifth all-time this month.
33:50And he's 86 points away.
33:52So if he has a bam on a bio type of night,
33:54you never know.
33:54It might happen tonight.
33:56But for K-Dean and LeBron,
33:58you just think about
33:59how many core memories
34:00they've created
34:01for so many NBA fans over the year.
34:03And, sorry,
34:03you've gotten a chance
34:04to see both of these guys
34:05over the course of their career
34:06evolve in their games,
34:08evolve in their battles,
34:09and it feels like
34:10every time that they step foot
34:11on the court together,
34:12something special happens.
34:13You have two guys
34:14who love to play
34:15the game of basketball.
34:17It's not about anything else
34:18with them other than
34:19playing the game
34:20and trying to win
34:21as much as they can.
34:22They're two very, very special guys.
34:25You know, numbers are one thing.
34:26They're going to have
34:27great numbers,
34:29but it's the other part
34:30of it that they both learn
34:31to get a chance to
34:33meet them, know them.
34:35They're kind of interesting people.
34:36They really are.
34:37Now, basketball junkies,
34:38no question.
34:39By the way,
34:39those were the first two
34:40free throws of the game
34:41before the Lakers.
34:42Only four combined free throws
34:43so far.
34:43And the first two came
34:44in the first seconds
34:45of the game.
34:47As Eson can't hit late clock,
34:49Capella got a hand on it,
34:50claims it on the offensive rebound,
34:51goes up strong!
34:52And it's a transfer three!
34:55There you see the strength
34:57of Capella.
34:58First of all,
34:58he rips the ball away
34:59to come up
35:00with the second shot opportunity.
35:02Then he takes it strong
35:03to the basket
35:04and gets the foul beside.
35:06Here's where he comes up with it.
35:08Here's where he attacks the rim.
35:11Fischel calls the foul.
35:12LeBron doesn't agree necessarily,
35:14but he's going to the line.
35:15And part of that,
35:16part of that is because
35:17LeBron just picked up
35:18his second personal foul,
35:20second team foul
35:20on the Lakers
35:22in this second quarter.
35:23So we'll see how
35:25the 41-year-old operates
35:27from this point moving forward
35:28for the rest of the first half.
35:31All square at 37.
35:33Reeves lets it turn the corner
35:34and a foul could be called.
35:35It looked like Smith
35:36might have gotten
35:37a little bit of the arm
35:38before the ball.
35:40Capella's trying to make
35:41his argument
35:43and it will be
35:44a foul on Smith.
35:45I thought the Rockets
35:46were going to complain
35:47that he may have taken
35:48a couple extra steps in there.
35:50One, two, three.
35:53Could be.
35:54It looks like that
35:55you definitely see the contact.
35:57Now the question becomes
35:58whether or not it was in the act.
36:00They're going to say
36:00it was on the floor.
36:01So a side out
36:02for Austin Reeves.
36:05LeBron stays on the floor.
36:06We haven't seen Luka Doncic
36:07yet in the second quarter
36:08after 16 first quarter points.
36:09The bounce.
36:10And LeRavia trying to go acrobatic.
36:12A late whistle comes.
36:14And another foul
36:15going against Houston.
36:19LeRavia's a tough kid.
36:20Knows how to play the game.
36:22We had a backdoor cut.
36:23He knows if LeBron's got the ball.
36:24He's going to find him
36:25and get him to basketball.
36:26Here's LeBron.
36:27Puts him on the floor.
36:29LeRavia right there.
36:31I'm not sure where
36:32that contact was.
36:33And I don't think
36:34Emeo Doka saw it either.
36:35So he's going to
36:36call for an initial challenge here.
36:38It would have been
36:39Capella's second
36:40and the fourth team foul
36:41against the Rockets
36:42with 8.07 playing the second.
36:44So Emeo Doka
36:45wants to
36:46take another look at it.
36:48And James Williams and company
36:49will do exactly that
36:51with a repeat.
36:53Unsuccessful challenge
36:53for Emeo Doka
36:54who's now 45 and 22
36:56on his 67 challenges this year.
36:58They said clear A to B
37:00for the contact from Capella.
37:03So Jake LeRavia
37:03right back to the free throw line.
37:05It is the second personal
37:06on Capella
37:07and it is the fourth team foul
37:09on Houston
37:09with 8.07 to play
37:11in the second quarter.
37:12And Emeo Doka
37:13mentioned
37:13not allowing free throws
37:15being a big key tonight.
37:16As we take a look
37:17at the upcoming
37:17national TV schedule
37:19tomorrow on NBC
37:20and Peacock
37:20Coast to Coast Tuesday
37:21with the Cavs
37:22in Milwaukee
37:22to take on the Bucs
37:23at 8.
37:24and then the Sixers
37:26and the Nuggets
37:26at 10 p.m. Eastern
37:29ESPN Wednesday.
37:30Warriors at Celtics
37:31at 7.
37:32Followed by the Lakers
37:33and Rockets
37:33at 9.30
37:34the second of the two-game
37:35miniseries.
37:36Right back here
37:37at Houston.
37:37For more on these games
37:38go to NBA.com
37:39or visit the NBA app.
37:42Reid Shepard
37:44looking for Durant
37:45but it was kicked
37:46by Austin Reaves.
37:48He's did a good job
37:49that time
37:50getting that kick
37:51in there
37:51because the ball
37:52has come back
37:52to the top
37:53of the circle
37:53for a pretty good
37:55junction work there.
37:56So, nice job
37:58deflecting it
37:59with the length.
38:01It's over four minutes
38:02gone in this second quarter.
38:04Durant bounce
38:05a little bit of rye
38:06and jump with Shepard
38:07five to shoot.
38:08Eason fires.
38:10Long rebound
38:11tracked down by Eason
38:12but he was out of bounds.
38:14Coming into this game
38:16tonight
38:17Houston number seven
38:18in the NBA
38:19in three-point shooting
38:21and the Lakers
38:22right in the middle
38:22of the road
38:2315th in the NBA.
38:26These two Reaves
38:27are combined
38:27six of 20
38:28from three
38:29to start this game.
38:30The Rockets bottom
38:31five in three-pointers
38:32made per game
38:33because they just
38:33don't take a lot
38:34of them.
38:35As James misses
38:35the turnaround
38:36rebound eight.
38:37James cut through.
38:38It's Reaves
38:38on the outside.
38:39Got the bump
38:40put it up
38:41couldn't bank it in
38:41and it'll be free throws
38:43for Austin Reaves.
38:44Reaves takes it
38:45right at the defender
38:46trying to recover
38:47and get positioned
38:48in front.
38:48In front of them
38:49contact two shots
38:50now.
38:53Reaves asking
38:54for something else.
38:56Take another look
38:57at the bump
38:57right there.
38:58He's not happy
38:59with something.
39:02Reaves will go
39:03to the free throw line
39:04again.
39:0430 plus points
39:06in each of his last
39:06three.
39:07He's now got 12 games
39:08this season
39:09which he's scored
39:09at least 30 points.
39:11He's shot
39:1142.5%
39:13from three
39:14over his last 13 games.
39:16Six double-doubles
39:17and when he's got
39:18at least five assists
39:19this year
39:19the Lakers
39:20are 17-5.
39:22When he scores
39:23at least 20
39:24they've been nearly
39:25unbeatable as well.
39:2620-3
39:28when he scores
39:2920 plus points.
39:30Already today
39:31seven points
39:32and three assists
39:33in his first 14 minutes.
39:35Give him eight.
39:35So LeBron goes out
39:37of the game
39:37and Doncic back
39:38on the court.
39:39LeBron with two
39:40personal fouls.
39:41So it'll be
39:42Luka out there
39:43with Reeves,
39:44Aiden,
39:44Hachimura,
39:45and Arabia.
39:46Shepard,
39:46Eason,
39:47Capella,
39:47Durant,
39:48and Smith,
39:48the five.
39:49Capella running to the rim
39:50and Hachimura
39:51is going to pick up
39:53the personal.
39:55One thing about Capella
39:57he is not afraid
39:58of contact.
39:59Night in and night out
40:00if you watch
40:00he has a high number
40:02of personal fouls
40:04that's because
40:04he's going to take
40:06his foul
40:06rather than give you
40:07a layup
40:07he will lay some wood
40:09on you.
40:12See the numbers
40:13tonight
40:13on just his second
40:14start of the season.
40:16First start for Capella
40:17since December 6th
40:19at Dallas.
40:21The physicality
40:22that he provides
40:23in his second sit
40:24now with the Rockets
40:25as Thompson
40:26and Finney Smith
40:27will check in
40:27for Smith
40:28and Shepard.
40:31See Alperin
40:32Shangun there
40:32on the bench
40:33for Houston
40:34missing another game
40:34with a back injury
40:35averaging 20 points
40:37nine rebounds
40:38and six assists
40:38per game.
40:39Capella splits a pair.
40:40Three point ball game
40:42with Doncic
40:42back down the floor.
40:45Lakers already
40:46in the bonus
40:47with seven minutes
40:47to play in the second
40:48that's a deep one
40:49but Doncic
40:50can't hit it.
40:51Good bucks
40:52out by Durant.
40:55Thompson slows it down
40:56and they get
40:57Durant some easier
40:58looks.
41:01Well, it's either
41:02somebody playing
41:03them very tight
41:03very physical
41:04or it's a second
41:05late will come
41:06to take it
41:06out of his hand.
41:08He's got eight
41:08so far.
41:10Five to shoot.
41:10Cross.
41:12Durant.
41:13It's pure.
41:15You know,
41:16sometimes,
41:16no, it's not
41:17the actual
41:18double team
41:18getting there
41:19but the poor
41:20season
41:20out of the corner
41:21of his eye
41:22and it might be
41:23enough to break
41:23his concentration
41:24and not make
41:25the shot.
41:26Oh, the fake
41:27but Reeds
41:27couldn't finish it.
41:29Rockets looking
41:30to push.
41:31Durant up to ten
41:31has hit his last
41:32five from the floor.
41:33Finney Smith
41:34pump and drive.
41:35Finney Smith
41:36bounce.
41:36LaRavia
41:37with a recovery
41:37defensively.
41:40J.J. Redick
41:40loves that type
41:42of effort
41:42from Jake LaRavia.
41:44Austin Reeds
41:44couldn't cash in.
41:46Eason couldn't claim it.
41:47Second chance
41:48is now for L.A.
41:48and Hachamora
41:49is getting a call
41:50for the offensive foul.
42:00He's puzzled
42:01with the call.
42:02A little extra
42:02stare down
42:03of James Williams
42:04after the whistle.
42:05Between the two
42:06defenders
42:07trying to come up
42:07with that right elbow
42:09is where the call
42:10was where he
42:10hooked the defender
42:11to try and come up
42:12on the other side.
42:13I believe that's
42:14what the official called.
42:15So his second foul
42:16and a turnover
42:17for L.A.
42:18A chance for Houston
42:19to go back out in front.
42:21Rockets led
42:22by as many as five
42:22early on.
42:23The Lakers
42:23by as many as six
42:24with a seesaw
42:25as expected
42:26in this second
42:27of three meetings
42:28between these two
42:28separated by just
42:30half a game
42:30in the Western
42:31Conference standings.
42:32Durant, no.
42:34Eason, no.
42:35Finney Smith, yes.
42:37That's why
42:37they're number one
42:38in offensive rebounds.
42:39Missed shot,
42:40you get a tip,
42:41you get another follow
42:42and it goes down.
42:4417.8
42:45second chance
42:46points per game
42:46for the Rockets
42:47this year.
42:48Add two more
42:49to that tally.
42:50Same for Luka Doncic.
42:52He is too tough
42:53to handle
42:54up the bounce.
42:5718
42:58for the Don.
43:04It comes to defenders
43:05immediately
43:06with Durant
43:07out in front
43:07high.
43:08If they move the ball
43:09open look.
43:11Thompson got a hand
43:11on the rebound.
43:12It's going to be a loose
43:13ball foul against L.A.
43:14and it's going to go
43:17against DeAndre Aiton.
43:21First, let's go back
43:22and take a look at Luka
43:23sizing it up
43:24middle of the floor
43:25going to the left hand
43:26then comes back
43:27steps inside
43:28foul line
43:29knocks it down.
43:31So that was the
43:33fourth team foul on L.A.
43:34it's a bonus
43:35for both teams
43:36over the final
43:37five plus minutes
43:37of this first half.
43:39Durant with
43:40ten and three
43:41rebounds.
43:42Shibari Smith Jr.
43:43has got nine.
43:44Seven for Capella
43:45six for Thompson.
43:46Durant shake and bake.
43:48Long 10.
43:49No.
43:49Smith rebound.
43:51That's about as high
43:52percentage as it gets.
43:54Let's keep in mind
43:55that if you come with
43:56the second hand
43:57even if it's late
43:58that means someone
43:59is not being locked
44:00out underneath
44:01and you're taking a
44:02chance against
44:03a terrific offensive
44:04rebounding team
44:05like Houston.
44:06Good start for Smith
44:07up to 11.
44:08Reeves lost the handle
44:09out of bounds.
44:10It'll stay here
44:10with ten to shoot.
44:12Marcus Smart will
44:13check back in for L.A.
44:14another look at
44:15the offensive board.
44:16Let's watch what
44:17happens after the
44:18shot goes up
44:19working on the
44:20inside those red
44:21jerseys keep working
44:22hard after a shot
44:24goes up knowing
44:25that in case it
44:25misses their length
44:27is going to give
44:28them the advantage
44:28to get a second
44:29shot opportunity.
44:31And while the depth
44:31isn't what maybe
44:32some expected or
44:33the Rockets
44:34internally expected
44:36because of the
44:36injuries to Van
44:37Fleet and now
44:38Steven Adams
44:39namely as that one
44:40misses and the
44:41rebound goes to
44:42Eason.
44:42The versatility
44:43in the different
44:44ways and lineups
44:45could be put on the
44:46floor for Emanuel
44:47Doka excites him
44:48as the coach.
44:48Durant thought he
44:49got hit.
44:50Lost the basketball.
44:51No real numbers for
44:52L.A.
44:53Smart doesn't care.
44:54Right back from
44:54Kennard.
44:55Donchich will drive
44:56on Durant.
44:57Stop.
44:58Fake.
44:59Donchich put it
45:00through.
45:01No whistle.
45:02Donchich wanted a
45:03chance for three.
45:04Instead he'll just
45:04put his team up one.
45:07Donchich has a lot to
45:08say to the
45:09officials.
45:10Almost every play
45:11he wants to call.
45:12He wants to call him.
45:13Well you look at the
45:14length that Hewson put out
45:15in their starting lineup
45:16today.
45:16That's going to be a foul
45:17away from the ball which
45:18is going to be free throws
45:19for KD as Smart will pick
45:21it up and Durant taking
45:22his time to get up.
45:23Another look at this
45:24bucket.
45:24And this is when you see
45:26Donchich right there.
45:27Little pump fake twice with
45:28the pump fake and as Durant
45:30is moving in Donchich goes
45:32up.
45:32The officials let the
45:33play go.
45:35He's trying to say he
45:36jumped.
45:36He jumped.
45:38I'm an excellent lip
45:40reader.
45:40I guess you didn't see.
45:41I know that.
45:42I can tell that.
45:44This guy at the foul on
45:45Durant every night people
45:47try to take him out of the
45:48game with the physicality.
45:50Kevin Durant answers the
45:51bell.
45:52Night in.
45:53Night out.
45:53Keeps pouring buckets.
45:55Keeps making shots before
45:57they try to beat him up.
45:59So you think about when he
46:01first came into the NBA.
46:03That was always going to be
46:04the biggest key for him was
46:05could he handle the
46:06physicality at the next
46:07level when he was drafted
46:08in 2007.
46:09And even at that time with
46:11his wiry, even more wiry
46:12frame than it is now, he
46:14never really struggled
46:16mightily with it.
46:17He obviously has gotten
46:18better as his career has
46:19gone up.
46:20Well his handle getting
46:21better allowed him to get
46:22away from defenders.
46:23Just get a little bit of
46:24space.
46:25He's such a terrific
46:26shooter that if the
46:27hand will get you away
46:28then the length and size
46:29gets you up over the top
46:31for a clean one.
46:33Donchich against
46:33Finney Smith again.
46:35Donchich on the attack.
46:36This time he will get the
46:37whistle.
46:38And he'll get free throws
46:39as he takes a little extra
46:40time to make sure that
46:41his right side is all
46:44good.
46:46He'll labor himself
46:47towards the free throw line.
46:48No, we don't have noticed
46:49tonight more so.
46:51They've got Donchich coming
46:52back to his right hand.
46:54He likes going to his left.
46:56They've got him coming back
46:57more to that right hand.
46:58He's made some buckets.
47:00But that time the foul took
47:01place.
47:04So Donchich can add to his
47:05game high 20 points on 9 or
47:0814 shooting but his first
47:09free throws of the night here
47:11in Houston.
47:15from nbastore.com for the best
47:18selection of NBA gear.
47:20Choose from jerseys, t-shirts,
47:21hats, and more.
47:22nbastore.com.
47:23A fanatic experience.
47:25So just to go back to the
47:26earlier point about Houston
47:28and the versatility.
47:29Again, their bench scoring is
47:30the worst in the NBA.
47:31Just behind the Lakers by half
47:33a point per game.
47:34But you look at what they can
47:36do in terms of different
47:36lineups.
47:37Their starting unit today.
47:38A man Thompson, 7 foot
47:40wingspan.
47:40Tavari Smith Jr., 7 foot 1
47:43wingspan.
47:43Easton 7-2.
47:44Durant 7-5.
47:45Capella 7-5.
47:47And then even Adoka said,
47:48well, they're totally fine
47:49playing small ball as well.
47:50You get Ray Shepard a little
47:51bit more out there.
47:52You have Shang-Goon when he's
47:54healthy and available.
47:55And you can cater to what the
47:57opposition is putting out
47:59there and make sure that you
48:00have the optimal lineup at
48:01all times.
48:02Yeah, and imagine if they
48:04would have had Adams.
48:05A really big end and the
48:06physicality to him.
48:08Vinny Smith, no.
48:10The Lakers feel like they are
48:12coming together and chilling
48:13at the right time.
48:14The word that J.J. Redick
48:15used is coalescing.
48:16He feels like this is a team
48:17hitting its stride and they
48:19finally have had consistency in
48:21the lineup.
48:21Doncic misses.
48:22Rebound 8.
48:23Tips it to himself.
48:24Back outside.
48:25It's Kinnar.
48:26It's a 3.
48:27It's off the mark.
48:29Another rebound, but Hachimura
48:30could not get it to a second
48:32hand out of bounds.
48:33You don't want to leave Luke
48:34Kinnar by himself behind the
48:35three-point line.
48:36It's almost automatic.
48:38So I talked about the 50-40-90.
48:40To get to that, you have to
48:42hit the qualifying number of
48:43field goals made, three-quarters
48:45made, and free throws made.
48:46And Kinnar is just a little bit
48:48off that mark in terms of total.
48:50He needs to make 109 more field
48:52goals the rest of the season to
48:53qualify.
48:54But he is, in terms of the
48:55percentage, well within it.
48:57As Shepard misses.
48:59Ricochet nearly out of bounds.
49:00It'll stay here.
49:01Vinny Smith makes the defense
49:02pay.
49:03Timeout, JJ Redick as Houston
49:05regains a three-point cushion.
49:07After the miss, it was actually
49:08Shepard who tipped it away first
49:10and wound up going to a team
49:11in who kicked it out.
49:12They knocked down the three.
49:14Houston feeling it in this
49:16second quarter.
49:20The Clippers is streaming live
49:22on Peacock starting April 19th.
49:25The NBA playoffs are also coming
49:26to NBC and Peacock.
49:27Both of those teams hope to be
49:29in the NBA playoffs.
49:31The Spurs are a certainty at this
49:33point.
49:34But the Clippers in the play-in
49:35right now at the eighth spot in
49:37the Western Conference feels like
49:38every game is going to matter for
49:39a team that miraculously, after a
49:426-21 start, has put themselves
49:44above 500 and firmly in that
49:46driver's seat to give themselves a
49:48chance at the postseason.
49:49The Clippers just played at San
49:51Antonio two weeks ago.
49:52And we see the three ball go up
49:54that time by Marcus Smart.
49:56Clippers got up 25 points during
49:58the course of that game.
49:59And then in the end, three huge
50:02turnovers.
50:03St. Antonio came back to grab a
50:05win.
50:05One of the great games of the
50:07season.
50:09These two teams looking to do
50:11something similar here tonight.
50:16Durant drives.
50:17Durant finish.
50:19You know what's amazing to me how
50:21you can be so wrapped up by a
50:23defender in such a physical time
50:25that when you finally get away from
50:26you do make the shot.
50:28James Slick.
50:29Thompson.
50:39Four turnovers for L.A.
50:42The hustle stats start to add up for
50:44one of the hustle teams in the
50:45Rockets.
50:46And there is the identity that
50:49Ibi Odoka has been flying out of
50:51his group after he feels like
50:52they've lost it.
50:53Doncic got frustrated that he
50:55didn't put it up but it doesn't
50:56matter with the Lakers in the
50:57bonus.
50:57All right.
50:58You saw his frustration after he
51:00let the pass go.
51:00He's like, oh my God, you got to
51:02shoot time.
51:02Why am I passing it?
51:03You get a steal and a layup.
51:07First fast break points for the
51:08Rockets.
51:09The easiest two of the night for
51:11a man, Thompson, who's now up to
51:138.6 rebounds and four assists in
51:1519 minutes of action.
51:17Meanwhile, Doncic back to the
51:18free throw line up to 21 already in
51:20this first half.
51:21You mentioned fast break points.
51:22The Lakers with the advantage there,
51:248-2-2.
51:25But the big thing that jumps out,
51:27second chance points, 16 for
51:30Houston, just four for the Lakers.
51:33That is their bread and butter,
51:35nearly 18 per game.
51:37So they're already almost at their
51:38average.
51:38The Lakers, third to last in the
51:40NBA and second chance points at
51:4213.1 tonight.
51:44But Doncic doing it from all three
51:46levels right now.
51:4723 points, two boards, three assists,
51:50coming off a 30-point triple-double in
51:52the overtime win over Denver on
51:54Saturday.
51:56Shepard back on the floor.
51:58He's already shown off the three-point
52:00stroke and the 42-inch vertical.
52:02Oh, what a pass from Durant.
52:03And the patience for the finish.
52:05Jabari Smith, Jr., up to 13.
52:07Durant off the dribble.
52:09He was looking over the court and
52:10saw a red jersey working his way
52:12towards the bench.
52:13He's getting fired off the dribble.
52:15Approaching one minute to play in the
52:17second.
52:17Drive and kick.
52:19Smart extra.
52:20James, oh, inside.
52:21Reade to block.
52:22Vinny Smith got upstairs.
52:24Rotate.
52:25Second chance.
52:26Doncic five to shoot.
52:28Sneaks inside.
52:29Behind the back.
52:29James couldn't handle it.
52:31Doncic put it up short.
52:32He thought he was fouled.
52:34Late to recover.
52:35Numbers the other way.
52:37Smith lines it up.
52:38Can't hit the three.
52:41Durant had Smith on his left and
52:43Reed on his right.
52:45James pick honk it.
52:48Reed Shepard just took it right
52:50from him.
52:53Ten-second difference shot clock
52:54at game clock.
52:55Durant on the drive to finish.
52:58He's only 6'11", weaving his way
53:01through the defense and finishing
53:02it when he gets to the rim.
53:06Unicorn-like abilities again.
53:09Kevin Durant making it happen.
53:13Largest lead for Houston.
53:15One-second difference shot clock
53:16at game clock.
53:18Six to work with for Doncic.
53:19Picked up by Smith on the outside.
53:21Doncic behind the back.
53:22It's Reed for three.
53:24No.
53:25Rebound nearly tracked down by Smart.
53:27And the Rockets, as they did to end
53:29the first, with a couple of buckets
53:31to get in front by two possessions
53:33to end the second.
53:3857-51 after two.
53:41High level of play on both ends
53:43from both of these teams
53:45in a major battle for Western Conference
53:47positioning in the playoff picture.
53:53You'll see KD splits two defenders,
53:56weaves his way in, finishes off the backboard
53:59with that right hand.
54:01Let's go to Ashley.
54:03All right, Jabari.
54:04We expected this back-and-forth battle
54:06this first half.
54:06How did you guys gain the edge, though,
54:08to close out this second quarter?
54:09Um, just gets grinding, staying with it.
54:12Luka making a lot of tough shots.
54:14He making pass out of the double team.
54:15People making shots, but
54:16just gotta stay with it.
54:17Stay with the game plan.
54:17It's gonna work out.
54:18How do you make Luka's night more difficult
54:20to start this third quarter?
54:21Um, keep him off the free-top line, one.
54:23And two, just keep buys in front of him.
54:24Take away the easy threes he's getting.
54:26You gotta live with the tough tools,
54:28but just take away the easy.
54:29All right, thanks so much.
54:29Good luck.
54:30Ahmed, back to you in the studio.
54:32All right, thank you, Ashley.
54:33You know LeBron played against his dad.
54:35Did you know that?
54:36I know that.
54:37I know that.
54:38You dunked on him.
54:38Did he dunk on his dad and a kid?
54:40I don't think so.
54:41Coming up on American Express at the half,
54:42LeBron versus KD.
54:44We talked it up.
54:45Again, LeBron will join the party.
54:46Went half the way through.
54:47We'll talk about that.
54:53Hey.
54:54I know your dad's gonna call you.
54:56Yeah, he gave his dad the same stare.
54:59I think KD, 30 years.
Comments