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00:00A few years ago.
00:03Nothing's changed.
00:04Nothing's changed.
00:0516 for KD at the half.
00:07It's Houston up at the break.
00:09Time for Game You Can Trust, presented by American Express, of course.
00:14KD, LeBron.
00:15I told you, LeBron's a role player now, Scal.
00:17He is a role player, but, you know, he's going to have to do boards.
00:20They're going to win this game.
00:21He needs to be a role player supreme.
00:23Ryan Scalabrini, Chris Bosh, I'm Ahmed Farid here.
00:26Welcome to our halftime show.
00:27It was a treat.
00:28You got KD, you got LeBron in this one.
00:30And, oh, yeah, by the way, you got Luka doing what Luka normally does here, Scal.
00:33Yeah, Luka was insanely good, getting to any spot he wanted to
00:37and making people better.
00:38Right now, Lakers offensively are just fine because of what Luka's doing.
00:43With him, I don't know if there's one guy that can guard him.
00:46And if you put two on him,
00:48then he's going to figure out how to get somebody else open.
00:50I don't know how he creates space with guys,
00:52and I don't know how he makes those tough shots, but he continues to do it.
00:56And right now, he's making those tough shots,
00:57but I think right now you have to really get somebody involved.
01:01Look for him making plays like this.
01:03Nice play to Hashimiri, finishing strong.
01:06I think you need Austin Reeves to be a lot more aggressive in the second half,
01:10making plays off the ball.
01:11But this is why you bring Luka in.
01:13This is why you pay him the big bucks.
01:15Move the ball.
01:16Get guys involved.
01:17But if you need him to score 20-plus points in the half, he can do that.
01:21There's very few guys that can get a layup like that in the half court if he's one of them.
01:27All right.
01:27So let's give some love, though.
01:29As you see with Luka, great first half, but your team is down by six.
01:32Durant's got 16.
01:34Smith's got 13.
01:35We got eight from Thompson so far.
01:37What have you seen from Houston to give them the lead so far?
01:39I think the biggest thing with Houston is they're winning the board.
01:42They're winning the paint.
01:4316 second-chance points.
01:44So Lakers are guarding, but they're not getting the rebound to secure that.
01:47Yeah, they're not getting the rebounds, and if you look at those shots that Luka's taking
01:52and making, they're a bit tough shots.
01:53They want them to take contested twos.
01:55They want to use their length, get out in the open court.
01:58They're doing a very good job of that.
02:00But when KD's being super efficient like that, scoring 18 points at a high clip, they're going
02:04to be tough to beat.
02:05Yeah, would you say he has to do more at this point?
02:07Second quarter was great.
02:08First quarter seemed like he let everybody else go.
02:11Yeah, for sure.
02:12I think they need to do more, and, I mean, we'll see how it goes.
02:14But the best part about that team is their youth.
02:17We'll see who steps up.
02:18Yep.
02:19All right.
02:19So this game, second half, still to come, obviously, here on Peacock.
02:22Got another game going on on a different stream in L.A.
02:25We got Spurs, and we got Clippers.
02:28Scal, a good start by L.A.
02:29Yeah, Clippers came to play.
02:30Even when Wimby was out there, they were moving him around the court.
02:3437 points in the first quarter for the Clippers.
02:38Wimby.
02:38Oh, look at this.
02:39We get a live look at a Wimby.
02:40Oh, no.
02:41Wimby doing a lot right now.
02:44He seems exhausted.
02:45Castle down low.
02:46He's tough.
02:46Yeah, I like Stephon Castle a lot.
02:48He guards, and he's tough.
02:50Just relentless.
02:51Mitch Johnson was down 17-3.
02:53He didn't even get off his seat.
02:54He's letting the Spurs, the young Spurs, kind of figure it out.
02:57And you know the best part I like about this is they were down big,
03:00but they keep playing second chance points, castleing their work, and they're getting offensive rebounds.
03:06They're not going to stop, and it's crazy that he's letting them do that and letting his young team play.
03:11All right, I'm picking the winner, Foggy Bug 72.
03:15Well, you think Foggy Bug's coming back.
03:17And Zappy Chip 78.
03:18Those are my top two for the second half.
03:20Stay tuned in.
03:21You can check out your own Peacock scorecard right now.
03:24Good luck in the second half.
03:25Oh, look at that look from Book.
03:27He and the Suns taking on the Celtics, going down to the wire.
03:32Jalen Brown, who got the last laugh?
03:34We'll show you next.
03:37Hey, your pool, Chris?
03:38Yeah, that's my pool.
03:40Suns, Celtics.
03:42Jalen Brown, Devin Booker go right to the fourth.
03:45Oh, back and forth.
03:46Big shot right here.
03:48Devin Booker.
03:49They had a lead late in this.
03:51He had 40.
03:53Jalen Brown had 41.
03:55Yeah, Jalen Brown got to the free throw line.
03:57Telling you, man, you tell the referees.
03:59Yeah.
03:59You guys got to do a better job.
04:01They'll give you some free throws.
04:01You got to yell and get kicked out more.
04:03Give more free throws, man.
04:0321 free throw attempts for Jalen Brown.
04:05That is a career high.
04:06Orlando, Atlanta, earlier today on Peacock.
04:09This is Nikhil Alexander-Walker.
04:11It's a career high 41.
04:13I tell y'all, just calm down.
04:14I got this.
04:15They need to calm down after the game.
04:17Yeah, no.
04:18But it was the Hawks early and often.
04:21And, hey, man, there's more degree of difficulty on their schedule.
04:24Big win for them.
04:25Yeah, it was a big win.
04:25Ten-game winning streak.
04:26No doubt.
04:26Have you bought in yet, Skelia?
04:27Right?
04:28Not yet.
04:28You got to.
04:28It's a double digits.
04:29Come on.
04:31DraftKings Sportsbook update at the half.
04:33Rockets three-and-a-half point favorites as we sit here right now.
04:37Just about to begin the second half.
04:39Luka, 23 points.
04:4124th time, scoring 20 or more in the first half this season.
04:44That is the most in the NBA.
04:45Is that Luka magic?
04:47They need more magic, though.
04:48Not to be confused with the other magic.
04:50Yeah, they didn't do that.
04:5857-51 after two in Houston.
05:01The Rockets up by six on the Lakers in a critical game.
05:03In the Western Conference, the Rockets can claim the season series with a win tonight.
05:07They will do it all over again on Wednesday.
05:09It is the fun time in the NBA season.
05:12Glad to have you back with us.
05:13No eagle in the czar.
05:14Mike Fratello.
05:16Physical first half.
05:17You could feel the physicality from here at courtside, but Kevin Durant fighting through
05:21a lot of that physical contact and Reed Shepard right there with him.
05:24Jabari Smith feels like the Rockets got a little bit of a rhythm late in that second quarter.
05:28Had a little bit of a run there, but if we think about it, both teams had their star things
05:33shine through.
05:35Donchish on the one hand at the offensive end.
05:37The offensive rebounding of the Rockets on the other end.
05:40We'll see if these two can keep up this level of physicality as we check in with Ashley
05:45Shalmany.
05:46Yeah, guys.
05:47I talked with Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks, and he said, look, the offensive rebounds
05:51for them were killing us.
05:52But we knew that coming in.
05:53He said, this team is legendary for their rebound.
05:56We've got to put a body on someone every single possession.
05:58Make sure we take care of the ball because they are scoring on all of the turnovers.
06:02And I asked, do you just keep giving the ball to Luka?
06:04He makes it look too easy to get those shots.
06:06Once he goes, it is disgusting how easy it is for him to score.
06:09Same with Kevin Durant.
06:10And he said, we just really want to get other guys involved as well.
06:12So it's got all put onto Luka Dawson's hands.
06:16Well, in that first half, Luka had 23 points.
06:18The rest of the Lakers had 28.
06:19He's looking for three more to start the third, but he can't find it.
06:23Rebound ends up with Reeves.
06:24A second chance for the Lakers.
06:25It's LeBron James.
06:27And the rebound falls right to Thompson.
06:30Thompson, Durant, Smith, Eason, and Capella.
06:33The five.
06:34That start of the game start the third.
06:35Same with the Lakers.
06:36James Smart, Aiden Reeves, and Dodgers.
06:39And a foul on LeBron James.
06:41Early one here is going to be number three on the King.
06:45Because of the offensive rebounds, Houston is shooting over 53% in the first half.
06:51Lakers dropped to 47%.
06:57Eason looking to drive on Reeves.
06:59Quick hands by Reeves.
07:00Recovered by Eason.
07:01Take it, flight on Matt Thompson.
07:03He can glide with the best of them.
07:06He's so athletic.
07:07Came out of that corner.
07:08Went to lay it up on one side.
07:10Instead, changed his mind.
07:12Put it up on the other.
07:13Smart.
07:14A little bully ball for two.
07:16Well, he's been bullying Durant.
07:18He's playing defense at the other one.
07:20That time he did a little bully ball.
07:22The offensive end.
07:23J.J. Redick has been so thrilled with the level of play and leadership all season for Marcus Smart.
07:29Of course, a long veteran in this league has provided the dirty work, the little things.
07:34And Thompson continues to build real estate above the cylinder.
07:38I'm really impressed with the interior passing of the Houston Rockets.
07:42We saw a couple buckets, two or three of them, first half, big to big.
07:47We saw them right there.
07:48Doing it without Alcorn and Shang-Goon, one of the best passing bigs in the NBA.
07:52Looked like Capella got a piece of that one.
07:53And then scoops up the ball.
07:55Ninety seconds into this third, Houston now with their largest lead of eight, looking for more.
08:00It's Smith on the attack.
08:02Stop, rip, got it back with 13.
08:05Durant, right back to him.
08:07Smith against eight.
08:08Jab and drive.
08:10Six to shoot.
08:10Turn around.
08:11That's pretty.
08:14Smith really feeling good about himself at the offensive end of the floor right now.
08:19Got that touch.
08:20Elevates up above the big man.
08:23First double-digit lead on either side.
08:24It was short-lived.
08:26Austin Reeves turned on the turbo to get to the rim.
08:29You know, Capella thought they were going to bring him the opposite way,
08:32so he was on the wrong side of the screen as Reeves drove to the basket.
08:37So Reeves now up to ten points, three rebounds, three assists, Durant.
08:43Just comes up short on the open look.
08:46James in transition.
08:47Reeves, quick trigger.
08:49Can't hit the three.
08:50Excited rebounds falls right to Thompson, working on a triple-double.
08:54Twelve points, eight rebounds, four assists.
08:56Poor man, Thompson.
08:58Third-year man who continues to make strides with the ball in his hands,
09:02because he can do things like that.
09:03He has that extra gear to get to the open spot.
09:06He crosses so athletic.
09:08He has the ability now to handle it all better,
09:10because they put him in that point guard role.
09:12He could create shots by getting to a certain spot,
09:15and maybe he wouldn't take it early.
09:17LeBron James, it was only a matter of time,
09:20just two for five before that bucket gets his team back within eight.
09:25LeBron has had to accept a little bit of a different role
09:29than he's grown accustomed to in 23 years in the NBA.
09:32He has always been the dominant ball handler.
09:34Nobody picked up Clint Capella on the role of the rim.
09:38But J.J. Redick put it really well to us pregame.
09:42Similar with DeAndre Ayton,
09:43who's had to accept a different role as the former number one overall pick.
09:47LeBron, of course, the all-time leading scorer in the NBA,
09:50and either guy playing something that has been accustomed to them,
09:55as that one's going to be a foul on Capella,
09:57and Ayton will get two free throws.
10:00Crowd can't believe it here.
10:02Capella can't believe it either.
10:05James Williams will make sure everything is quickly back together,
10:08and Ayton will go to the line.
10:10But I love what J.J. said.
10:11It's got to be so hard when you're LeBron James, all-time leading scorer,
10:15and for 20-plus years you've been either 1A or 1B on any team you've been on.
10:20For DeAndre Ayton, the first overall pick, with so much expectation,
10:23it's different for an undrafted guy like Austin Reeves,
10:26who had to work his way to get a standard contract,
10:29who eventually has turned himself through hard work into this,
10:32but he knew he would have to accept the role.
10:34These guys have never had to accept the role before,
10:36and he feels like they've done a really good job of saying,
10:39I'll do whatever the team needs to win games.
10:41Without question, guys who were in the league for a number of years
10:45and have achieved success,
10:46when it comes down to those last few years,
10:48they have a hard time accepting it.
10:50If the coach said, look, this is what we need you to do,
10:53they're not easily convinced on that.
10:57Durant intercepted right to the hands of Reeves.
11:00Get it up ahead for James.
11:02LeBron will slow it down, wait for reinforcements.
11:07James stepped back three, makes it rain.
11:11LeBron with a deep shot.
11:16LeBron tried to get himself going here now.
11:19He got a couple fouls, he didn't believe it was necessary.
11:22That was a big shot for him.
11:24And then another takeaway.
11:26Reeves nearly gave it right back,
11:28but Durant couldn't corral it before it sailed out of bounds.
11:34Reeves got two times in a row with Steele.
11:37Watch the barn with his step back.
11:39Gets that foot behind the line,
11:40knocks down a three.
11:41That might just get him going.
11:44James up to nine points on four of seven shooting.
11:47Does have three fouls.
11:49Coming off a 17.6 rebound, five assist performance.
11:52But the big play made against Denver
11:54was diving head first for a loose ball.
11:57That resulted in a jump ball
11:58and really fueled the Lakers' energy
12:01in that final couple of minutes.
12:03Oh, a rebound up over the top.
12:06Amit Thompson.
12:08He'll bring it the other way for Houston.
12:10So Luke can use that right elbow
12:12to clear some space that time.
12:14Beautiful dime.
12:15Eason just finds that extra effort to make it home.
12:19There's the interior passing once again.
12:23Thompson just feels like he's in control
12:25a lot more than early in the season.
12:26There's a steal.
12:27It's Eason on the takeaway.
12:29Lost the basketball.
12:30Got it back and he's fouled by Doncic.
12:33Luka wants an immediate challenge from J.J. Redick.
12:36Not sure he'll get it.
12:37And we've got a timeout on the floor.
12:4069-61 with Eason going to the line.
12:44This is a guy that can fly.
12:46Matt Thompson.
12:47Well, right now with 14 points, 10 rebounds.
12:50He also has five assists.
12:51Could be a triple-double.
12:53He is certainly on that watch.
12:55Already his 16th double-double of the season.
12:59Coming off a 23-point, 12-rebound, 8-assist performance
13:03in what was a close win over New Orleans.
13:06A team that has certainly played better basketball
13:08over the last couple of weeks here.
13:09But the Rockets needed a 7-1 run to finish the game
13:13over the final 31 seconds of the game.
13:16It was Jabari Smith hitting a 3.
13:18Durant hitting a jumper to put him in front.
13:20Then Durant free throws to extend it.
13:22Now it's Tari Eason at the free throw line.
13:24Trying to get it back to a 10-point game.
13:26Can't hit on the first.
13:28But Eason now with 2 points, 4 boards, 3 assists.
13:31He does have 3 personal fouls.
13:33We've seen his shooting go down,
13:35especially from 3 over the last several games.
13:37He's actually 0 for 15 coming in.
13:40And he's 0 for 3 tonight.
13:41So 0 for 18 from 3 over his last 6 games.
13:45And 7 for 51 since the All-Star World.
13:48And one of the weaknesses of the Rockets
13:51is the fact that they do miss a lot of free throw attempts.
13:5426th in the league in shooting their foul shots.
13:57James with a pep and a step.
13:59Aiton comes up short on the push.
14:00And Capella has the rebound.
14:02Short arm there.
14:03Never followed through.
14:04Never extended the arm to get it over the front of the rim.
14:07He's still looking for his shooting touch.
14:08Just 1 point for Aiton 0-3 from the floor.
14:11Cross.
14:12Shepard just threw it up.
14:14Capella was there.
14:16And an offensive foul is called.
14:17It's going to be Marcus Smart.
14:20Tied for 2nd in the NBA.
14:21Coming in and charges drawn.
14:23That was his 20th charge taken on the season.
14:26And he is feeling it on the back end.
14:31In reference, Marcus Smart with his 20th charge taken.
14:34The Rockets as a team have only taken 12.
14:38And there's no more challenges remaining for Houston
14:40after they lost it in their first quarter.
14:43Smart understood, okay,
14:44that Shepard was going to try and beat Aiton off the dribble.
14:48So he left his man,
14:49got himself in position to take the charge.
14:53Domchich stepped away for 2.
15:0025 points for Luka Domchich.
15:03The leading scorer in the NBA at 32.8 a night.
15:06Midway through this third quarter.
15:07It's a 7-point game.
15:09Smart got a hand on it.
15:11Oh, Durant went back to get it,
15:13but they're going to call it tipped into the backcourt.
15:157 to shoot now for Durant.
15:16Going to work on Smart.
15:17Shimmy, shake.
15:19And Capella right through his hands.
15:20Numbers the other way with Domchich and James.
15:22Domchich got fouled and put it home.
15:25Shepard just didn't have enough muscle.
15:27And Domchich has a chance for 3.
15:29You see the willingness of LeBron
15:31to give it up ahead to Domchich.
15:33Who he understood was going to take that strong to the basket.
15:37It could have come right back to James
15:38with Domchich concentrating,
15:40has a chance now for the 3-point play.
15:46Domchich and Reeves,
15:47the only two in double figures for L.A.,
15:49but Domchich can add to his game-high 27.
15:53LeBron James now with 3 assists
15:54to go with 3 boards and his 9 points.
15:575 of them coming in this 3rd quarter.
15:59And he's helped to spark
16:00at least this slight jolt
16:03from the Lakers to get it back to 4.
16:07Critical game in the Western Conference standings
16:10with the Lakers currently in 3rd.
16:13But just half a game up
16:15on the 4th place Rockets.
16:18First of a 2-game miniseries.
16:19We'll do it again on Wednesday.
16:20Second of 3 meetings.
16:22The Rockets winning the first on Christmas.
16:24If they win tonight,
16:25that would decide the tiebreaker
16:28between these two.
16:30Easton, step away.
16:30That's pretty good.
16:33Very impressive.
16:35Yes, you're going to put the ball down on the floor,
16:37get into a seam,
16:38and then hit that little fader.
16:40He's got to do that
16:41if he's going to be the second pass away
16:42from the double team.
16:44And a travels called Domchich.
16:46He can't believe it.
16:47Went right up to James Williams.
16:49And Houston will make a change
16:51with Smith coming in for Capella.
16:54With that small ball-type vibe.
16:56And Easton also taking a seat.
16:58Josh Okogie back on the floor.
17:00As you know,
17:01when they start double-teaming the star,
17:03he gives it up.
17:04It's usually one will pass after that.
17:06The second pass,
17:08that somebody's over.
17:09That guy, whoever it is,
17:10has to be able to make open shots.
17:13Here is the double on Durant.
17:14It's out of it.
17:16And then a foul is going the other way.
17:18Durant discarded on Austin Reeves.
17:21Well, we talked about Smart
17:23being second in the NBA
17:25in charges drawn.
17:26Reeves, again,
17:27feeling that contact
17:28is right behind him.
17:32Take a look at
17:33exactly what went down here.
17:35Reeves takes the spill.
17:38Reeves was denying the ball back.
17:40Didn't want Durant to get it back again.
17:43As a result, Durant tried to run
17:44and put his shoulder into it.
17:47So they're going to review
17:48to see if this
17:50should be upgraded
17:52to a potential flagrant foul.
17:54It looks like it's just,
17:55as mentioned,
17:56it's been a physical game.
17:57So part of this could also be
17:59the officials understanding
18:00that trying to take
18:01some of the control back
18:02just to make sure
18:03it doesn't get out of hand.
18:05But we talked about
18:06the playoff simulation
18:07for both of these teams.
18:08The Lakers feel like
18:09they've just done that
18:10with their last couple of games
18:11with wins against Minnesota
18:13and Denver.
18:14And for the Rockets,
18:15the close win against New Orleans,
18:18a tough loss at Denver.
18:19But this two-game miniseries,
18:21not just in terms of the standings
18:23and the implications,
18:23but the fact that you're going
18:24to get a team back-to-back days
18:26in your building,
18:27Emeo Doka feels like
18:28that could be beneficial
18:29for them learning how to win
18:30in critical situations.
18:32With that being said,
18:34there's been a playoff-like
18:35physicality in this game,
18:36and they're just trying to make
18:37sure that it doesn't escalate
18:38any further.
18:39So here's what the officials
18:40have to decide.
18:41Did Durant lower the shoulder
18:43and put it into him on purpose,
18:45or was Durant trying to run
18:47to a space,
18:49and Reeves was in front of him,
18:51and he ran through?
18:52The difference in either
18:53upgrading it or keeping it
18:55as just a foul.
18:57And this,
18:58you feel like you see this
18:59almost every possession
19:00in terms of,
19:01it's certainly more physical,
19:02certainly understandable
19:03to be an offensive foul,
19:05but there's no extension
19:07from Durant.
19:08Yeah,
19:08I don't see that arm
19:09coming up,
19:09hitting him in the chest.
19:10I think he went to run.
19:13And determined that there
19:14is wind-up by Durant
19:15prior to the contact.
19:17As a result,
19:17the common foul
19:18has been upgraded
19:19to a flagrant foul penalty one.
19:20Only two shots for Reeves
19:22and LA ball inside out.
19:24Well,
19:25that was the shortest
19:25wind-up I've seen.
19:26I thought he played
19:28for the stretch all the time.
19:30Come on.
19:32Take another look.
19:34They're going to call
19:35that right there
19:36on the load-up.
19:38And Reeves,
19:39who stayed down
19:40for a couple of beats
19:41after the play,
19:42gets the benefit
19:43of the doubt on the call
19:44and will get
19:45a free-throw opportunity
19:46on the flagrant one
19:48from KD.
19:49So he's trying to get
19:50an explanation now
19:51from Jason Goldenberg.
19:53Austin Reeves,
19:54an 87% free-throw shooter.
20:00I noticed you didn't
20:01give my percentage
20:02when I have an opinion
20:04on a call
20:05how many times
20:06I've been correct
20:07or incorrect.
20:08No, I would never do that.
20:09Yeah, come on.
20:11It's all about being
20:12a good partner.
20:13That's what I've been told.
20:15And Ray Acosta
20:16just asked Austin Reeves,
20:17hey, can you fix the net?
20:19Oh, yeah.
20:19He didn't call you all.
20:21No, no.
20:22I noticed that.
20:25Reeves could have fixed it
20:26just by his second free-throw.
20:28Instead, it's a four-point game,
20:3112 points for Austin Reeves.
20:33For his fourth straight
20:3430-point game,
20:35Kennard's on the floor now
20:36in place of Marcus Smart.
20:38Smith, Durant,
20:39Thompson, Shepard,
20:40and Akogi.
20:41Aiden goes to the bench as well.
20:42Nice feed.
20:43Better finish inside
20:44for LeBron James
20:45and a timeout,
20:46Emei Adoka
20:47with a lead tripped
20:48all the way down to two.
20:50The Rockets led by as many
20:52as 10 earlier in the third,
20:53but the Lakers
20:54on the comeback trail
20:55early to...
20:55NBA Monday
20:56is brought to you by
20:57SoFi.
20:58Get your money right.
20:59And by...
21:02Xfinity,
21:02proud partner
21:03of the NBA.
21:0672-70,
21:07Houston now by two.
21:08And some great action
21:10so far in this game.
21:11Let's go back.
21:12Nice call here
21:12taking place
21:13by the coach,
21:14J.J. Reddick.
21:15We'll watch Luke Kennard
21:16start to come in
21:17from that right-hand corner.
21:18When Luke comes in,
21:19he's going to set a back pick
21:21on the big man.
21:22When he sets the back pick,
21:24James goes to the rim.
21:25Guess who switches
21:26onto James?
21:27We're talking about
21:28Reed Shepard,
21:296'3.
21:30James, 6'8.
21:32Ball goes up in the air.
21:33Reed turned his back,
21:34didn't see the ball,
21:35had no chance
21:36of outjumping the ball.
21:38Back to a one-possession game,
21:40four-and-a-half
21:40to play in the third.
21:42Thompson battling
21:43with Doncic.
21:44Cross.
21:44Doncic stays in front.
21:45Thompson could not float it in.
21:48Lakers can tie or take
21:50the lead here.
21:51It's Reeves.
21:53Hachimura,
21:54extra,
21:54Kennard on the attack.
21:56Shovel,
21:56Hachimura,
21:57got it.
21:58We are tied at 72.
22:00Let's look at the fact
22:01that the Lakers
22:02brought on two shooters,
22:03okay?
22:04Kennard and Hachimura
22:05both are shot makers.
22:07With them out there
22:08along with Doncic,
22:10Reeves,
22:11that's pretty good
22:11scoring potential.
22:1311-2 L.A. run.
22:16Durant,
22:1716 points so far.
22:19Walking against Reeves,
22:20double comes from James,
22:21he took it away.
22:22LeBron James
22:23in the open court.
22:24Can he beat him
22:25to the rim?
22:25He's fouled by Akogi.
22:28James with a chance
22:29to give the Lakers
22:30their first lead
22:31since it was 45-44
22:33in the second.
22:34Hachimura did a very good job
22:36of getting back.
22:37He turned his back,
22:38Durant.
22:39They came from the blind side,
22:40and Hachimura gets there
22:41to at least foul him
22:42and stop the layup attempt.
22:44Now he forces LeBron
22:45to make two.
22:48James to the free throw line
22:50for his first attempts
22:51of the night.
22:53Seven third quarter points
22:55already.
22:57Can't put the Lakers up initially.
22:59So Akogi saved the point
23:00by hustling,
23:01running back that hard,
23:03fouling LeBron
23:03before he could make the layup.
23:05This is a guy that,
23:07even at 41 years old,
23:08is leading the NBA
23:09in fast break points
23:10per game this season.
23:13He is still a locomotive
23:14in the open court.
23:15How's he doing that?
23:16Great question.
23:18He's just,
23:18we just saw it.
23:19He still has that jetpack
23:21when he wants it.
23:25After trailing by 10
23:26in the third,
23:27Lakers have taken
23:28the one-point lead.
23:30The Rockets find
23:31some offense
23:32to stop the bleeding.
23:35Ray Shepard did it
23:36at the end of the first.
23:37Can they do it
23:38at the end of the third?
23:39Right on Dodgers' return.
23:41At that time,
23:42there was no Marcus Swann
23:44standing there waiting
23:45for him to take the charge.
23:48Shepard up to seven.
23:52Canard on the attack.
23:54James, extra.
23:56Reeves, baseline.
23:57Reeves, tough one.
23:58Goes down!
24:01Reeves can really score points
24:04quickly.
24:07Smith picked it up.
24:09Three minutes to play
24:10in the third.
24:11Shepard, always a threat.
24:13He's got to hit
24:14the gym range.
24:16Skip it.
24:17Smith, three ball.
24:19Rebound time.
24:20Thompson, a lot of contact.
24:21And it's a foul on the floor.
24:23He got sandwiched
24:24between Hachimura
24:24and LeBron.
24:27LeBron under the basket
24:28reminding his teammates
24:29to put a body on them.
24:31They go after every missed shot.
24:34Don't give a fuck.
24:35He's going to go on Hachimura.
24:37That's going to be his third.
24:38Team's third.
24:41The shot,
24:42you'll see at the end,
24:43LeBron talks to Hachimura.
24:45Gets upset right there.
24:47He saw him put a body on him.
24:502.50 to play.
24:52Oh, take away.
24:54Reeves just engulfed the inbound.
24:56Hachimura trailing the play.
24:58Hachimura, wild attempt.
25:00No.
25:00Tippin doesn't go,
25:01but a foul.
25:03LaRavia crashing the glass hard.
25:06And it looks like
25:07he should
25:08get free throws here.
25:18Pressure on the basket.
25:20What's the talk about?
25:21Coaches want hands,
25:22active hands.
25:24Yeah, technical foul just got called.
25:27And it went against the men, Thompson.
25:32Well, the Lakers just got done
25:33shooting two free throws before
25:35when they upgraded their foul.
25:36And here's another one,
25:37kind of technical.
25:39I guess Reeves up to 15 points,
25:41and now LaRavia is going to shoot two more.
25:45Also gives the Lakers 18 free throw attempts
25:48to just nine for Houston.
25:51It's been a reversal of what we saw
25:53on Christmas.
25:55Those two teams going to battle
25:57on Christmas Day,
25:58and it was the Lakers
26:00who struggled to get
26:02to the free throw line.
26:03Only 11 free throw attempts
26:04in that game.
26:05They're out-rebounded
26:0648-25 in that one.
26:09Houston still winning
26:10the rebounding margin,
26:11but just by nine.
26:1229-20 here tonight,
26:14and as mentioned by the Czar,
26:15now the 20th free throw attempt
26:17for La compared
26:18to just nine for Houston.
26:23Check it with Ashley.
26:25Yeah, guys,
26:26and we asked JJ just
26:27what has changed
26:27from his team
26:28from that December 25th game
26:30until now.
26:30He said,
26:31our team is so content
26:32in spirit and in motivation.
26:34He said in an 80-game season,
26:36you're not going to have
26:37all 82 games
26:38or even stretches of the season
26:39where you're connected
26:40with the injuries,
26:41with trade deadlines,
26:41with so much movement
26:42that it's hard
26:43to be so connected
26:44like they are,
26:45but he said that has been
26:46the biggest difference
26:47into why they have won
26:48eight of their last nine
26:48and are really cruising
26:49in this month of March.
26:51That is the biggest key.
26:52He felt like he coached
26:53three different teams,
26:55he said, last year,
26:56and even at points this season,
26:57they've been completely
26:58different groups
26:59as that one's out of bounds
27:00and the Lakers
27:00have completely turned
27:02this third quarter around.
27:04It's like the Rockets
27:05just fell apart
27:06when that foul was upgraded
27:08and they wound up
27:09making those two free throws
27:10since that time.
27:12Houston has had
27:12a difficult time
27:13executing at the
27:15offensive end
27:15and it's become easier
27:17for the Lakers.
27:1729-17 third quarter
27:19advantage for L.A.
27:20Doncic up to 31 points already.
27:23Looking for more.
27:24Couldn't find space.
27:25Repost.
27:26Doncic turnaround.
27:28And the rebound of Smith
27:30and then he's fouled
27:3192 feet from the basket.
27:34Machimora on the swipe down
27:36and it's his fourth.
27:38Team's fourth.
27:39First and the last two.
27:40You saw Thompson
27:41playing defense on Doncic.
27:43He did not go for that
27:44ball fake the first time.
27:46Doncic gave it up
27:47and got it back
27:47and then shot it immediately.
27:51Already the 37th game
27:53this season
27:54that Luka has scored
27:55at least 30 points.
27:56Shepard,
27:57series of dribbling moves.
27:59On the fake,
28:00Shepard on the drive,
28:01floating open,
28:02slamming home.
28:03That was a trampoline
28:04level slam from Thompson.
28:06They had Thompson
28:07on the baseline
28:08because he's such an active
28:09offensive rebounder.
28:11In case there was a miss,
28:12he was right there.
28:13Instead,
28:14he received the line.
28:16Thompson now up to 16,
28:1810, and 5.
28:19Doncic blitzed
28:20and taken away.
28:21Shepard,
28:22free run to the rim
28:23for another slam.
28:27I thought he was surprised
28:28by Shepard dunking
28:29into the game.
28:31Not anymore.
28:31No, no more.
28:32No, no.
28:32He does this routine
28:34on a regular basis.
28:3580-78.
28:37Doncic's looking to get away.
28:38Step back,
28:39three.
28:39Oh!
28:40That's absurd
28:41from Luka Doncic.
28:4534 for the dunk.
28:48Two for one opportunity
28:50for Houston.
28:54Shepard,
28:55Smith,
28:56it's fouled.
28:58Smart wants it
28:59on the floor.
29:00Smith wants it
29:00in the act of shooting,
29:01which would be
29:02three free throws.
29:04Now, let's see
29:04which one
29:05they're going to call here.
29:08take a look at Luka.
29:10Dribbles right
29:11into the double team,
29:12steps back,
29:13knocks it down,
29:14trying to get
29:15a four-point play on it.
29:18Here we see Shepard
29:19reaching in.
29:21He's off,
29:22and even though
29:22you doubted it,
29:24I never doubted it.
29:26He can throw it down.
29:29There's Shepard penetrating,
29:31sees his teammate
29:32Thompson along the baseline,
29:33throws it up,
29:34Thompson finds it.
29:37Matt Thompson
29:38has six dunks
29:39tonight alone.
29:40Meanwhile,
29:40they did call it
29:41on the floor,
29:41so it'll be two free throws
29:42for Jabari Smith, Jr.
29:4616 and 7 now
29:47for Smith.
29:49On the season,
29:51he's got 11 games
29:52with 20 or more.
29:53When he scored
29:54at least 18,
29:56the Rockets are 12 and 4.
29:58Okoge in,
29:59Shepard out.
30:0033.2,
30:01a little offense-defense
30:02for Houston.
30:04Marcus Smart
30:05having a conversation
30:06with some fans
30:07sitting courtside
30:07right now.
30:08We know that he enjoys
30:12the back and forth
30:13of the game as well.
30:14Smith gets it back
30:15to a one-possession game.
30:19No rush,
30:20no two-for-one opportunity
30:21here with a nine-second
30:23different shot clock
30:24in game clock.
30:25Smith trying to stay
30:25with LaRavia on the outside.
30:2712 to shoot.
30:28LaRavia looking.
30:29LaRavia lost his footing.
30:31Excellent defense
30:31from Smith
30:32and then a takeaway
30:33from Fiddy Smith.
30:34Back the other way,
30:35Houston.
30:35Oh, he threw it
30:36behind Thompson.
30:38Gave it right back.
30:40Little too anxious
30:41to give it up.
30:42He needed to take
30:43one or two more dribbles
30:44to create the proper
30:46spacing between
30:47the two offensive players
30:48and the one defensive guy.
30:51Hand in,
30:51gets a piece,
30:52deflection,
30:52you got a loose ball.
30:54Finney Smith takes
30:54one dribble,
30:55tries to cross it over.
30:57Meanwhile,
30:57his teammates
30:58trying to run further
30:59down the court
30:59to get closer
31:01to the basket.
31:0513.6 seconds.
31:08In his third quarter,
31:10Dovchich already up
31:11to 34.
31:12It's been an offensive
31:13masterpiece again.
31:14Five seconds left.
31:15Working against Thompson.
31:16Screen from Hachimora.
31:17Three seconds left.
31:18Dovchich against Smith.
31:20Step away.
31:21Three!
31:21Couldn't bank it home.
31:23But the Lakers
31:24will go into the fourth
31:25with a three-point cushion.
31:27They've been the best
31:28team in the NBA
31:29when leading after three.
31:31You're watching
31:31Peacock NBA Monday,
31:33presented by Xfinity.
31:38Four points on
31:3913 of 24 shooting.
31:41You got to begin
31:42a mismatch
31:42and just throw it up
31:43in the air.
31:44LeBron goes against it
31:45and then in the middle
31:46of the floor,
31:47Luka's stepping back
31:48to knock down
31:49with three.
31:5116 in the first,
31:5311 in that third quarter
31:54and now getting
31:55some much-needed rest.
31:56He's checking
31:57the box score himself.
31:58Oh, wow.
31:5834 points.
31:59Ho-hum.
32:00It's another night
32:00at the office
32:01for Luka Doncic.
32:03We saw a big swing
32:04in the game
32:05from the Rockets
32:05being up 8.7 points.
32:07All of a sudden
32:08they enter the fourth quarter
32:09and now the Lakers
32:11hold the three-point lead.
32:13Start the fourth.
32:15Lakers 31-1
32:16when leading
32:17after three this season
32:18and promptly
32:19a turnover from Smith.
32:20Scooped up by Smart.
32:21Larabia.
32:22Hey!
32:22Ripped right back
32:23by Shepard.
32:24Good job by Shepard.
32:25He gambled,
32:26stuck that hand
32:27in that tightness
32:27just right.
32:29Smith on the perimeter.
32:31Leaves it now
32:32for Shepard.
32:33Those two out there
32:34with Finney Smith,
32:35Thompson,
32:36and Capella.
32:37It's Finney Smith
32:38in and out
32:39on the three.
32:40LeBron James
32:41gallops into the board
32:42along with Reeves.
32:44He throws it up
32:45for the King!
32:47The alley-o
32:49Reeves
32:49so fresh
32:50to LeBron.
32:52Still has
32:53the confidence
32:53in the King
32:54that he can throw it
32:55up there
32:55and he'll go
32:56get it.
33:00Shepard with 13
33:01to shoot.
33:02Two-man game
33:03with Thompson.
33:03Goes right to the rack.
33:04A lot of contact.
33:05Blocking foul is called.
33:07LeBron can't believe it.
33:08J.J. Redick
33:09looking back
33:10towards the back
33:11of his bench
33:11as to whether
33:12or not there's a challenge.
33:13Yeah, LeBron wants
33:14J.J. to challenge.
33:15J.J.'s waiting
33:16to look at his assistants.
33:17Yep.
33:18What happens?
33:19Head coach checks
33:20with the assistant
33:20who's in charge
33:21for watching
33:22for replays.
33:23The assistant nods
33:24his head.
33:24Yes, challenge it.
33:26Was LeBron there?
33:26Did he get him
33:27square enough
33:28or was he moving sideways?
33:31So the Lakers
33:32will challenge it
33:33for the 63rd time
33:35this year.
33:3643-19 so far
33:37on the season.
33:40LeBron James
33:41still moving
33:42a little bit
33:43as Thompson
33:44toppled over.
33:45LeBron just got there
33:47in the good time.
33:48Was he leaning in
33:49a little bit
33:49to his left?
33:50That's the official
33:51to determine
33:52the reason
33:53that they're sending
33:53Thompson to the line.
33:54but he used to
33:55ask me a question
33:56why are we shooting
33:57on 11 free throws
33:58and the Lakers
33:59have 20.
34:00Well, they haven't
34:01posted anybody up
34:02where they can draw
34:04fouls from the low
34:04post area.
34:08That's it.
34:08Excuse me.
34:10I'm sorry.
34:11What was that?
34:12And if you can
34:13relive, she said
34:14something slightly
34:14more colorful.
34:17Lakers now 43-20
34:19on their 63 challenges
34:21this season
34:22and it's a four-point game.
34:24Houston missing
34:25one of their main
34:27post-up downs.
34:28Al Brink-Shangun out
34:29for this game
34:29with a back injury.
34:31That could be the reason
34:32why they're not shooting
34:32more free throws.
34:35Playing more
34:36on the perimeter
34:36but 4 of 19
34:38from 3.
34:39The Lakers, however,
34:40just 7 of 24
34:41from the outside
34:42themselves.
34:43Haven't made them
34:44pay enough.
34:45Reeves got rid
34:46of the last second.
34:47It's James on a deep
34:48line.
34:49Too strong
34:49into the hands
34:50of Capella.
34:50Nice block out
34:51that time
34:52by Capella
34:53so the Hayes
34:54could get an
34:54offensive board.
34:56Thompson Cross
34:57stopped.
34:59Hayes trying to step up.
35:00Capella has a mismatch
35:01inside with Arabia
35:02and a foul is going
35:03to be called
35:03on Marcus Smart.
35:05And for Marcus Smart,
35:07that is going
35:08to be number 4.
35:09Yeah, that's
35:10an excellent call
35:11because Smart
35:11has done that
35:12three or four
35:13times in the game.
35:14He shoves the screener
35:15who's on the way
35:16to set the screen.
35:17He shoves him
35:18so that that screener
35:19couldn't get called
35:20for an offensive foul.
35:22Now 4 on Smart,
35:234 on LeBron James
35:24and 4 on Rory Hachimura.
35:26Cross, Paul,
35:27Shepard, Pure.
35:33He has provided
35:34his normal punch
35:35off the bench
35:36up to 11 points.
35:37Averages 13 and a half
35:38on the season.
35:39But he has come alive
35:40in a couple of fourth
35:41quarters this year
35:42for this team.
35:44Now Smart's turn.
35:46Donchich on the bench
35:47for LA, KD for Houston.
35:50James inside.
35:51Bouncing for Hayden.
35:52Couldn't finish it.
35:53Back to the outside.
35:54LaRavia with a second chance.
35:57Tennis shooting
35:57now for Smart.
35:58Screen from LaRavia.
36:00Switch with Shepard.
36:01Smart goes to work.
36:03Floats it up.
36:03Missed it!
36:04And the rebound
36:05with a hands-up.
36:06Capella had it stripped
36:07by LaRavia.
36:08And that's going to be
36:08a foul on Capella.
36:10He can't believe it,
36:12but he hooked LaRavia up top.
36:17LaRavia is the kind of guy,
36:18he's going to fight you
36:19for every loose ball,
36:20for every rebound.
36:22He's going to give his body up,
36:23and that time he got
36:24a little contact.
36:25Watch the arm by Capella
36:27as he comes around.
36:28He thinks he's got it.
36:30LaRavia reaches in
36:31to slot it away,
36:32and there's that arm
36:33where he throws him
36:34to the ground.
36:36And let's see.
36:36It looks like there's
36:37a discussion as to whether
36:38or not they should look
36:39at this, and James Williams
36:40is heading towards
36:41the scoring table.
36:43We already have one
36:44flavored foul against
36:45Kevin Durant.
36:46Now Capella.
36:52And that's...
36:55not a thrilled crowd
36:56reaction here in Houston.
36:57There are a number of
36:58spectators courtside
36:59that are asking for a fly
37:00from Jake LaRavia.
37:04I think as LaRavia
37:05walked past,
37:07he may have made a comment.
37:09I don't know if it was
37:10directed LaRavia or not,
37:11and he saw LaRavia
37:13snap his head back
37:14all of a sudden.
37:17So another official review.
37:19...the area of the face,
37:21but there is no line up,
37:22impact, or follow-through.
37:24Moving on the floor
37:24of an offensive foul,
37:25common foul stands as far.
37:28So a quick review.
37:30Efficient.
37:31And with 9.32 to play,
37:33Lakers will take over
37:34with a two-point cushion.
37:39And so important
37:41in the Western Conference
37:42standings.
37:44Houston with 15 games
37:45remaining, including tonight.
37:46The Lakers with 14 games left
37:50as we head down the stretch
37:51in this NBA season.
37:56And you think about
37:59the Western Conference,
38:01and Imeodoka said it,
38:03you can't afford to have
38:04off nights in the West
38:05because you can go from
38:06three to seven
38:08within a couple games.
38:10And the Rockets trying
38:11to maintain their position,
38:12Lakers trying to do the same,
38:14and even the season series.
38:15Durant back on the floor,
38:16guides the rebound and Capella,
38:18who's working on a double-double
38:19with nine points
38:20and eight rebounds.
38:22On the attack,
38:23Shepard left it for nobody.
38:24Out of bounds.
38:25He thought Thompson
38:26was going back door.
38:28He put the ball in.
38:29Thompson kind of
38:30pounded his chest.
38:31So, yeah, my fault.
38:32I didn't keep going.
38:33He stopped short.
38:34Shepard put the ball down
38:35right where he thought
38:36he was going to be.
38:38Approaching nine minutes
38:39to play.
38:40Lakers have been the most
38:43winning, percentage-wise,
38:44best clutch team
38:45in the NBA this year.
38:47James misses that one.
38:49Rebound, a loose ball foul
38:50going the other way.
38:51It's going to go against
38:51LaRavia.
38:52That's over the top.
38:53It's crashing in there.
38:55Get that red jersey
38:56on the inside.
38:57Block it out.
38:58They get the ball.
38:59Javari Smith, Jr.,
39:00Tari Eason head to the
39:01scorer's table.
39:02They'll check back in
39:03for Shepard.
39:04And, no, Shepard's
39:06going to stay in.
39:07Thompson will sit.
39:08And Capella will lumber
39:10his way back to the
39:12Houston bench.
39:13So it'll be Shepard,
39:14Durant, Smith, Eason,
39:16and Finney Smith.
39:17No, can you remember
39:18the last time Durant
39:19got a field goal
39:20attempt?
39:21It's been a while.
39:22Quite a while.
39:22Yes, it has.
39:24He's got 16 points
39:25on 7-13 shooting.
39:27See if they can find
39:28some space for
39:29the easy money sniper.
39:31Bring two to the ball.
39:32He just stepped on
39:32that mid-court line.
39:34It's a backcourt violation.
39:37Just didn't realize
39:38how close he was
39:40when he backed up
39:40those two big steps
39:42and all of a sudden
39:43he's full-hits the line.
39:44Right here.
39:46Let's take a look.
39:47Right there it is.
39:50That's where he steps on.
39:53So another turnover.
39:55Houston now up to 19
39:56turnovers that have
39:57led to 17 Laker points.
40:01James with 14.
40:04Reeves looking for James.
40:06Put it to the spot.
40:07James went to get it.
40:08Spray it out for LaRavia.
40:10Five to shoot.
40:11LaRavia slow stomp
40:12when he comes up short.
40:15Durant plugs down
40:16his fifth rebound.
40:24Durant gets rid of him
40:26before the double.
40:27And then too high
40:27from Finney's spin.
40:28He has just been off
40:29with his passing tonight.
40:31Well, that's what
40:32double teams do.
40:33They take the ball
40:34out of the hands
40:34of the big scorer.
40:35When he gives it up,
40:37the other guys
40:38have to have the skill
40:39to make the play.
40:40The passing has to be
40:41on time,
40:42on target,
40:43so a teammate
40:44can get a shot.
40:47Four minutes gone
40:48in the third.
40:50Doncic checks back in
40:51with 34 points.
41:00Here he is
41:01against Eason.
41:03Screen comes.
41:04Bouncer for Smart.
41:04He'll step into the three.
41:07Long rebound.
41:07Track down by Finney Smith.
41:11Rockets.
41:1254% from the four.
41:14Four of 19 from three.
41:17Durant against James
41:19in their 45th
41:20all-time meeting.
41:22Bounce.
41:23Smith.
41:24Attack.
41:25Pull.
41:25Missed the J.
41:26Rebound.
41:27Eason got a hand,
41:28but Doncic rips it away.
41:30That's exactly
41:30what I was talking about.
41:32When they make him give it up,
41:33somebody else has to produce.
41:35Reave doesn't get the roll.
41:38Still a chance to tire,
41:40take the lead for Houston.
41:42Can Durant find any space
41:44whatsoever?
41:46Double comes from James.
41:47Durant will give it up.
41:49Finney Smith on the outside,
41:50directing traffic.
41:51Right back to KD
41:52with seven to shoot.
41:53Bounce it.
41:54Finney Smith.
41:54Extra.
41:55Jabari Smith on the slide.
41:57Perfect execution
41:58on what they want to do
42:00against the double team.
42:02Flash somebody
42:02to the mobile floor,
42:04turn and look opposite,
42:05they get it.
42:0619 now for Smith.
42:09It's Marcus Smart.
42:10And it's well short on three.
42:14And Smart is gonna
42:15lift toward the Lakers bench.
42:18Let's watch right here
42:18as the double team
42:19takes place.
42:23As the ball is taken
42:24out of the hands
42:25of Kevin Durant,
42:26we have to let this go
42:26a little bit further
42:27so we can get to the point
42:29where Durant comes up
42:30with the ball.
42:31Now right here
42:31the double team
42:32takes place.
42:33Stop right there.
42:34You see him hit middle,
42:35look opposite.
42:36There's the guy cut
42:37to the corner
42:37from the opposite side.
42:40You ask and you shall
42:41receive an answer.
42:43The last Kevin Durant
42:45field goal attempt
42:46in this game.
42:465.46 remaining
42:49in the third quarter.
42:50He has not gotten
42:50shot up since then.
42:52And it's because
42:53of defense like this.
42:54He's not scored
42:55in the second half
42:55but a foul's gonna
42:56be called on Reeves
42:57this time
42:57as he was battling
42:59with Durant
42:59off the ball.
43:04Canard back in,
43:05Hayes out.
43:06So small ball
43:07on both sides
43:08with James
43:10and Hachimura
43:11having to play
43:11in the front court
43:12for L.A.
43:13It's interesting
43:13as the Houston
43:16coaches
43:16have complained
43:17about the lack
43:18of free throws
43:18and Lakers
43:19doubling their
43:21free throw
43:21touchdowns.
43:22All of a sudden
43:22four fouls
43:23on the Lakers
43:24but no fouls
43:25on Houston
43:26right now.
43:26Vinny Smith
43:27went right to the
43:28right and missed it.
43:28Got back
43:29to the outside.
43:30Jabari Smith
43:31carries it.
43:32A big three
43:34for Jabari
43:35to put the Rockets
43:37back in front.
43:39He's going
43:41defense
43:43and defense
43:48James
43:49nearly taken away.
43:51It's an 8-0
43:52Houston run.
43:54And Ron saw
43:55one of their
43:56shooters,
43:56Hachimura,
43:57in that right corner
43:58trying to get it to him.
43:59The long arm of Thompson
44:00knocked it away.
44:04Working that glass,
44:05kicking it back out again.
44:06Second chance opportunity.
44:08That time it's a three.
44:0923 second chance
44:10points for Houston.
44:11James inside
44:12is fouled.
44:14And then some
44:15friendly fire.
44:16See Thompson
44:17ends up taking a shot
44:18from Leeson
44:19who came flying in
44:20on the help.
44:24The game was going
44:25to get more physical
44:26in the second half
44:27from what we saw
44:27in the first half
44:29so he bodies
44:30are flying around.
44:32His old teammate
44:33right there
44:33comes down
44:34on the back
44:34of his head.
44:35Thompson grabs his head.
44:37A little shot
44:38perhaps by LeBron
44:39so that Thompson
44:41moved up
44:41and he could get
44:42that lob pass.
44:46LeBron James
44:5143,162 career points
44:53coming into this game
44:54and counting
44:54123 career triple doubles.
44:56You talk about
44:57all the accolades,
44:58all the numbers
44:59but what he's done
45:00of late
45:01accepting a slightly
45:02different role
45:03playing winning basketball
45:04diving on the floor
45:06doing the dirty work
45:07for L.A.
45:08He says when the team wins
45:10that means every individual
45:11wins
45:12and every individual
45:13gets celebrated
45:14the same way.
45:15He brings his team
45:16within one
45:17approaching clutch time
45:18here in Houston.
45:20Here comes a double.
45:22May not be a hard one
45:23or a soft one
45:23but it still takes
45:24two bodies.
45:25Vinny Smith in and out.
45:27Rebound up for grounds.
45:28Eason claims it.
45:29Durant a three.
45:30No.
45:31Long rebound Eason.
45:33Durant will try again.
45:36Eason again.
45:37He is crushing
45:38with reckless abandon.
45:39A fourth chance
45:40for Houston.
45:42Eight to shoot
45:42now for Durant
45:43on the attack.
45:45Smith just hit a big three.
45:46Now it's Eason
45:47with three to shoot.
45:48He's going to have
45:48to put it up.
45:49Eason does.
45:51In and out.
45:52And the rebound
45:52batted by Dodgers
45:53into the hand of James.
45:55LeBron James
45:56kick it out.
45:58It's Reams.
46:00And Eason again
46:01goes up high
46:02to rip it down.
46:03If you're wondering
46:05why Durant was shooting
46:06on these two pluses
46:07one of the few times
46:08he hadn't had somebody
46:09hanging on top of him.
46:11And there looked like
46:12a shot clock issue.
46:15It was actually,
46:16wow,
46:16they're going to call
46:16the eight seconds.
46:17Durant did not recognize
46:18the clock.
46:19And he missed
46:21getting it across
46:22in time.
46:23A little lackadaisical
46:24from KD.
46:26Timeout on the floor.
46:2788.
46:27A little bit of attention
46:28from that Laker defense.
46:29Trying to get visible
46:30with him.
46:31He winds up getting
46:32called for the
46:33offensive foul.
46:34Then as he spins back
46:35next offender comes
46:36he loses the handle.
46:38That time he steps back
46:39when two guys
46:40are running at him
46:40and he steps over
46:41the 10 second line.
46:43A little bit of frustration
46:44in the face
46:45of Kevin Durant.
46:46I know he always had
46:47two guys running at me.
46:49I'd be,
46:49oh man.
46:50Are you kidding me?
46:51Give me a break.
46:53Noah Eagle,
46:54Mike Fratello,
46:54Ashley Shomini
46:55here with you
46:56in Houston.
46:56A huge game
46:57in the Western Conference.
46:58Second of three meetings
46:59between the Lakers
47:00and the Rockets.
47:01Donchich
47:02can't hit the three
47:03and the rebound
47:04up high goes
47:05to Jabari Smith.
47:06Lakers third
47:07in the West right now.
47:08Half a game ahead
47:09of the Houston Rockets
47:11who are fourth
47:11at 41 and 25.
47:15Rockets can claim
47:16the season series
47:17with a win tonight.
47:18They trail by as many
47:20as six
47:20after leading by ten
47:22in the third quarter.
47:23Florida shoot
47:24now for Durant.
47:25Double comes.
47:25Durant with one.
47:27Smith got it off
47:27in time.
47:29Shot clock violation
47:30forced by the Laker defense.
47:32You can't use up
47:33too much time
47:34on the clock
47:35to get into
47:36your half court set
47:37because
47:37if it gets back
47:39to Durant
47:39who they want
47:40to be the main guy
47:42then he doesn't have
47:43time to operate against
47:44if he throws
47:45one more pass
47:46clock goes off.
47:49meanwhile the Lakers
47:50hit their first shot
47:51of this fourth quarter
47:52they have missed
47:53their last ten
47:54since then
47:55not a good percentage
47:56right now
47:57and yet on the game
47:59still shooting
47:5943 percent
48:00but just 7 of 30
48:01from downtown
48:02Doncic has four
48:04of those seven
48:04makes from three
48:05looking inside
48:07it's eight with a touch
48:08he's surrounded
48:08and they're gonna call
48:10the foul on the floor
48:11Shepard was just
48:12doing whatever he could
48:13to restrict the movement
48:15he brought the ball down
48:16big men of talk
48:18when you catch it
48:18in that painting area
48:19get it up high
48:20so little guys
48:21can't come in there
48:22grabbing away from you
48:23and knocking out of your hands
48:25fourth foul on Shepard
48:26second team foul
48:27on the Rockets
48:27Doncic right from that spot
48:29where he hit the game
48:30winner against Denver
48:31in overtime
48:31spray it out
48:32hot to more
48:33three
48:33weak side
48:34rebounded Thompson
48:37his 12-4 tonight
48:38to go with 17 points
48:39and 5 assists
48:40Durant still scoreless
48:43in the second half
48:43after 16 in the first
48:45two quarters
48:45dunking comes
48:47his bounce pass
48:48taken away by 8
48:49Doncic stopped
48:50Doncic bounced
48:52Hachimura right back
48:53to him
48:54Doncic's downhill
48:55to the corner
48:56and Smart
48:56in and now
48:58rebound 8
48:59kick out
49:00Reeves
49:01on the drive
49:02Haynes
49:03can't hit
49:04and doesn't get the ball
49:06and they're gonna give him
49:07the bucket
49:08on basket interference
49:09from Eason
49:11was that ball
49:12off the rim
49:13was it still on it
49:14had it rolled off
49:15and below the rim
49:17that's the question
49:18you can't challenge it
49:20because both teams
49:20are out of challenges
49:22it looked like
49:23it was still on the
49:24cylinder though
49:25it was on its way off
49:27that's close
49:27I tell you that
49:28that's close
49:29back to a one-point
49:31Laker lead
49:323-0-5
49:33to play
49:35Shepard
49:35Smith
49:363-ball
49:37no
49:42somebody else
49:43has to be able
49:44to make the play
49:45for the Rockets
49:45not just Kevin Durant
49:48Doncic
49:49batted to the outside
49:51it's Reims
49:52it's a 3
49:53win
49:54and out of bounds
49:55off of Thompson
50:00people have been
50:01clamoring
50:01playoff basketball
50:02is right around
50:03the corner
50:04in terms of the
50:05defense and intensity
50:07you're seeing right now
50:08physicality
50:09and the heavy legs
50:10in this fourth quarter
50:11it's starting to feel
50:12like playoff basketball
50:13there's no question
50:14these two teams
50:15are playing with that
50:16type of attitude
50:17in this game
50:18provide 5 for 30
50:19in this fourth quarter
50:20before Doncic
50:21gets another bucket
50:24that big body
50:25when it turns away
50:27from you
50:27and he elevates
50:28he gets a clean look
50:29at the front of the rim
50:302 and a half to play
50:31the Lakers have the best
50:33clutch record
50:33by percentage
50:34in the NBA
50:35nearly a strip
50:36and step foul
50:37and it's Marcus Smart
50:39picking up his fifth
50:40and you see what's
50:41happening now
50:42is Houston's gone
50:43away from Kevin
50:44and give him a blow
50:46give him a little bit
50:46of a rest
50:47perhaps if they can draw
50:49a second defender
50:50they can swing it back
50:51to him
50:51right there
50:52you saw Thompson
50:53going off the dribble
50:54you saw the record
50:55in clutch games
50:56score within 5
50:57in the final 5 minutes
50:58of regulation
50:59or overtime
51:00as I'm in Thompson
51:01slowly makes his way
51:03to the free throw line
51:04the Lakers
51:0518 and 6
51:06best winning percentage
51:07but the second fewest
51:09games played
51:09the Rockets have the
51:11same amount of wins
51:12but they played almost
51:12double the game
51:13they're 18 and 18
51:15which is right in the
51:16middle of the pack
51:16time for the eighth
51:18most wins
51:18they're doing it
51:19without their two-time
51:20all-star tonight
51:20Alperin Shengu
51:21missing another game
51:22with a back injury
51:23that's 20 points
51:249 rebounds
51:25and 6 assists
51:26on the bench
51:26meanwhile Durant
51:27scoreless in the second
51:28half
51:29but Jabari Smith Jr.
51:31and Ahmed Thompson
51:31have stepped up
51:32and Thompson makes it
51:33a one-point game
51:34in the line
51:362.20 to play
51:42Reeves 15 points
51:44on 5 of 18
51:45shooting
51:45there is major
51:46contact away
51:47from the ball
51:48Thompson got tangled
51:49up with Marcus Smart
51:51and Thompson
51:51is going to pick up
51:53his third foul
51:53they use Marcus Smart
51:55to set that baseline
51:56screen
51:57trying to free up
51:58Dodgers
51:58to pop out
52:00if you're going to
52:01give a foul
52:01now's the time to do it
52:02before the final
52:03two minutes
52:04it is just the
52:06third team foul
52:07against Houston
52:09in for Doncic
52:1036 points
52:1210 to shoot
52:13Doncic
52:15working on Smith
52:16Doncic puts it
52:18on the deck
52:18Doncic
52:19outside
52:20James Extra
52:21Smart
52:213
52:22he pulls it
52:24Marcus Smart
52:25again in the clutch
52:26extends the Laker lead
52:29Marcus Smart
52:30has done that
52:31a number of times
52:32in the NBA season
52:33made a big
52:34three-point shot
52:35down the stretch
52:37of the game
52:39scoring in this
52:40fourth quarter
52:4011 to 10
52:42in favor of LA
52:43it's a four-point lead
52:45with two minutes left
52:462
52:463
52:47give Marcus Smart
52:48credit
52:49he has really worked
52:50to develop
52:50that three-point shot
52:52because he wasn't
52:52a very good shooter
52:53going off his career
52:5910 to shoot for Durant
53:01still looking for his
53:02first points
53:03since the second quarter
53:05Eason will load it up
53:07way too strong
53:08and out of bounds
53:09he's going to stay here
53:10with 2.7 left
53:112 seconds
53:13either team
53:14with a challenge
53:15down the stretch
53:15with 139 remaining
53:17he's got to be
53:17a quick catch and shoot
53:18of some kind
53:19here for Houston
53:192.7
53:20is more time
53:21than you think
53:22it is
53:23Thompson
53:24teaming
53:24yeah KD
53:25without the ball
53:26Shepard no
53:27rebound
53:28Thompson
53:28had it ripped away
53:29by Smart
53:29scooped up
53:30by Doncic
53:3190 seconds
53:33to play
53:33in Houston
53:34Lakers
53:34looking to
53:35even the season
53:35series
53:36these two
53:37will do it again
53:37on Wednesday
53:38but the Lakers
53:39badly need this
53:40win for the tiebreaker
53:42on the drive
53:43guarded by Durant
53:44James
53:45nearly lost
53:46got it back
53:47had it blocked
53:47and Eason
53:48is there
53:48for the recovery
53:49in the slam
53:52big play for Eason
53:54to finally come up
53:55with it
53:55hold on to it
53:56and finish it
53:57for a score
53:59Rockets have gone
54:00ice cold on the
54:01offensive end
54:03Eason a minute
54:04to play
54:05Durant
54:06back to Eason
54:07his push
54:08doesn't go
54:09Aiden with the defense
54:10and the rebound
54:11he'd been radio silent
54:13all night
54:14but just as he did
54:15on Saturday
54:16Aiden coming up
54:17huge down the stretch
54:19the conscience
54:19wants all the players
54:21down there
54:21Aiden
54:22has two more
54:23timeout Houston
54:25it's the largest
54:27lead of the night
54:28for LA
54:32Aiden
54:32a lot of pressure
54:33on him
54:34receiver
54:34criticism
54:35makes those
54:36two buckets
54:37just when they need them
54:43Lakers coming up
54:44again
54:44in the clutch
54:45with the big plays
54:46to extend the lead
54:47late of a fourth quarter
54:48the Lakers now
54:49in front
54:4915 to 10
54:50in the quarter
54:51a combined
54:529 of 38
54:54from the floor
54:55and Houston
54:57just not
54:58coming up
54:59with made baskets
55:00when they've
55:00gotten opportunities
55:01Rockets have
55:02one timeout left
55:03Lakers with two
55:04the Rockets do
55:05have a foul to give
55:05down the stretch here
55:07Houston just tries
55:08to get it in
55:08and it's taken away
55:09by Reeves
55:10the Cookies
55:11and a raw flush
55:13from the King
55:15an exclamation point
55:17for LA
55:18as they take a 10 point lead
55:20on Marcus Smart
55:22goes Superman
55:25the turnovers
55:26mounting all night
55:28for Houston
55:29they've got 24 giveaways
55:30as Durant
55:31finally pops the seal
55:33in this second half
55:35his first points
55:3829 seconds left
55:40shimmy shake
55:41from Reeves
55:42James
55:44gets it across
55:45with a pass
55:46Smart
55:47will let the clock
55:48window
55:48all the way down
55:53turnovers
55:54became so critical
55:55for the Houston Rockets
55:57they never got a chance
55:58to execute the plays
55:59that they wanted
56:00to try and run
56:02shot clock violation
56:03take it
56:04Doncic will let it fly
56:05with a left hand
56:05just for a little fun
56:08doesn't get it to go
56:09but JJ Redick
56:10who said his team
56:12the word he used
56:13was coalesced
56:13they are coalescing
56:14at the right time
56:15they have found the rhythm
56:17playing their best basketball
56:19the season
56:20and the Lakers
56:21in a massive game
56:23with major implications
56:25in the Western Conference
56:27get their sixth straight win
56:31192 the final
56:32and they go up a game and a half
56:34for the third spot on Houston
56:37and evens this series up
56:39at one game apiece tomorrow
56:40the next game they play
56:42two nights from now
56:42will be the tiebreaker
56:44in case there's a tie
56:46in the end
56:4712 points for the Rockets
56:49in this fourth quarter
56:50matches their low
56:51for any quarter this season
56:53that is one heck of a performance
56:55down the stretch
56:56from a physical Laker team
56:58that was led again
57:00by Luka Doncic
57:0136 points
57:026 rebounds
57:034 assists
57:04just enough
57:05of Luka magic
57:06as the Lakers improve
57:08to 43 and 25
57:10on the season
57:11we go to Ashley
57:13all right Luka
57:14the largest lead of the night
57:15for you guys
57:15coming in the final minute
57:17you had 36 points tonight
57:19but what can you say
57:20about your teammates
57:20for coming in
57:21in the clutch
57:22in the final 60 seconds
57:23no it was great
57:24I think we shared the ball great
57:25especially in the last quarter
57:27you know
57:28when we needed to get
57:29to business with it
57:30this quarter 92 points
57:32which for this team
57:33for the Houston
57:34to help them
57:35at 92
57:35is pretty awesome
57:37so we did a great job defensively
57:38for you though
57:39you started the game
57:40with 16 points
57:41in the first quarter
57:41ended with 36
57:42like I said
57:43how were you just so efficient
57:44every time you were on this court
57:46not bad
57:47I think I could
57:48I could have done
57:49a lot better
57:50but you know
57:51all the matter is
57:51we got to win
57:52and we got to keep this wrong
57:54the feel
57:55the physicality
57:56where you both are
57:57in the standings
57:58did this one feel
57:59like a playoff game
58:00yeah I think
58:01last couple
58:01have been feeling
58:02like a playoff game
58:02you know
58:02they play with a lot
58:03of physicality
58:04we come from Denver
58:05they play physical
58:06so you know
58:07the last couple games
58:08were very physical
58:09very playoff like
58:10Luca thank you so much
58:11congrats on the win
58:12thank you
58:12Noah
58:14alright Ashley
58:16192
58:16Luca Doncic
58:18with another
58:1830 point game
58:19played 40 minutes
58:20along with
58:21Austin Reeves
58:22in this one
58:23game three
58:24of our triple header
58:25Spurs versus Clippers
58:26already underway
58:27those two battling
58:29out in LA
58:30you can get
58:30over there
58:31by going to the
58:32Peacock home screen
58:33or sports section
58:34you can stay right here
58:35and we're going to
58:35take you there
58:36after these messages
58:37Big Lakers win
58:38for Mike Fratello
58:39Ashley Shammity
58:40our entire crew
58:41of No Eagle
58:42saying goodnight
58:43from Houston
58:43you've been watching
58:44Peacock NBA Monday
58:45from Zenit
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