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00:00Шесть straight, their big three of Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reeves
00:05starting to coalesce a little bit.
00:08KD warming up after a rough second half
00:13on Monday night against the Lakers.
00:16Houston looking to bounce back.
00:18And welcome inside our studio here in Los Angeles
00:20alongside a pair of champions, Michael Malone and Kendrick Perkins.
00:23Brian Winhorst, I'm George Sedano.
00:24In for Malika Andrews.
00:25Coach, we talked about this in the pregame earlier tonight
00:28about that tough half for KD.
00:30A lot of doubles and some mistakes out of that.
00:32What do you expect tonight from KD?
00:34First off, did you take coalesce from J.J. Redick?
00:37Yeah, I did.
00:38All right, that's pretty good.
00:39I like that.
00:39Good word usage.
00:41We know what Houston's going to see, what Kevin Durant's going to see.
00:45Here are his second half numbers.
00:47Two points, one to five.
00:48But the biggest number on there, George, is the six turnovers.
00:51That's possessions they did not get a shot off.
00:53And now, will the Lakers start off that way
00:56or are they going to ease into it?
00:58And this is an example here.
00:59Here comes the double team.
01:00KD's doing the right thing, baiting the double team towards half court.
01:04Steps on the half court line.
01:05Back court violation.
01:07They have to work to get a shot up.
01:09Here's another one.
01:10We've got to get him off the ball.
01:11But Marcus Smart's a hell of a defender.
01:13They're not going to let him just walk to the ball.
01:15They deny him.
01:16Now he winds up catching the ball all the way out.
01:18LeBron's on.
01:19The shot clock is winding down.
01:20This possession's going to end up with a Jabari Smith shooting a 40-foot jump shot
01:25at the end of the shot clock.
01:27Another poor possession.
01:28And the last example of what you're going to see tonight
01:30when the Lakers go to the strategy is double teaming.
01:33They're going to hit him again.
01:35Another poor pass ignites the Lakers.
01:37Get out.
01:38The Lakers have scored them 16-4 in fast break points.
01:41A lot of that perk, as you know, was predicated off the turnovers by Houston.
01:45Listen, this is a playoff game for the Houston Rockets, right?
01:49This is like losing game one.
01:51Now you're going into game two after an ugly performance on both ends of the floor.
01:56What adjustments are you going to make, right?
01:59Are you going to get back in transition defense and stop the easy baskets?
02:02Are you going to make the right play and cut down the turnovers?
02:06Is Coach Emeyudoki, you're going to put Kevin Durant in position
02:09where he can be effective and get buckets?
02:12How are you going to utilize Shagun?
02:14How are you going to slow down Luka Doncic?
02:17Can you stop him from having 30?
02:20This is a playoff moment for the Houston Rockets,
02:24and I'm curious to see the adjustments that they make.
02:26Brian, how do the Lakers continue their streak?
02:28I can't believe I'm saying these words.
02:29We're not talking enough about the Lakers.
02:31Like the Lakers have won six in a row.
02:32They've got really good rhythm offensively.
02:35Luka has been absolutely on fire, and this is a double game for them tonight.
02:38They win tonight's game.
02:39They push Houston back further in the standings, and they win the tiebreaker,
02:42and it sets up the rest of the road trip.
02:44The one thing the Lakers have to do better is rebound.
02:47They've done a lot of really good things.
02:48Two meetings this year, they're getting dominated in the offensive glass.
02:52Defend, rebound, and run.
02:53All right, we'll send it out to Houston for Mike Breen,
02:55Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, and Lisa Salters next.
02:58The NBA on ESPN is presented all season long by State Farm.
03:03Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
03:06And in part by Popeyes.
03:08Love that chicken from Popeyes.
03:15Norman, Beyonce, Clyde Drexler, and, of course, home of the Rockets,
03:19who tonight play the Lakers for the second time in three days.
03:23Lakers won Monday night here at the Toyota Center.
03:26And in that game, Luka dodges 36 points.
03:29Lakers with a big fourth quarter to get an important victory.
03:32Kevin Durant is having a magnificent season without a rough second half on Monday.
03:37And he is looking for some revenge tonight.
03:41Second game of our NBA doubleheader, NBA Wednesday, presented by State Farm.
03:46And as we wind down the regular season, look at the Western Conference standings.
03:50Three through six separated by just a game and a half.
03:56And good evening, everyone.
03:57Along with Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, Mike Breen on hand,
04:00Lisa Salters with us as well.
04:01As you saw on the standings, Lakers in third, Rockets in fourth.
04:05And this game will determine the tiebreak.
04:07So a very important game for playoff positioning.
04:09Let's start with the Lakers, RJ.
04:11Six wins in a row, nine and one their last ten games.
04:14What do you like what you see?
04:15I just like their defensive effort is matching their offensive ability.
04:19They are making these extra plays that do so much.
04:23You have individual efforts.
04:24Marcus Smart, late in overtime, making a big play.
04:28They're doing all of the little things right now.
04:30And sometimes it's just team defense being in the right place.
04:33And then those extra efforts, those game-winning plays.
04:37That has been the difference during this Lakers stretch.
04:39For the Rockets, Lakers, they've been one of the best teams in the league all season long.
04:42They've beaten Oklahoma City.
04:44They've beaten San Antonio, Boston, and Detroit.
04:46Right now struggling a bit.
04:48Four and five on their last nine.
04:49How do they get back to being that championship contender?
04:52Well, this offense has to carry its weight.
04:54When you look at the Houston Rockets, they can defend at an elite level.
04:56They're a dominant rebounding team.
04:58But their offense fails them at times as it did in the fourth quarter on Monday
05:03when they could not solve this trap on Kevin Durant.
05:06Now, Alper and Shingun will take care of some of that.
05:08He wasn't there Monday.
05:09He'll be here tonight as a decision-maker in the middle of the floor.
05:12But it's more than just Durant and Shingun.
05:14They have to get better shooting from their supporting cast.
05:17Tonight's starting lineups brought to you by Hershey's.
05:21And, of course, LeBron James with Doncic and Reeves, the big three.
05:25DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart playing some great basketball.
05:28The Rockets, as Legs mentioned, last two games, Shingun, their all-star, did not play.
05:33But he'll be back in the starting lineup for Imei Udoka and these Houston Rockets.
05:39All right, guys, how hard is it during the regular season?
05:41Or does it even matter when you play the same team in a back-to-back scenario?
05:46It is very, very difficult.
05:48But it's more fun.
05:49It's like a playoff-type atmosphere, especially when you get it this late in the season.
05:54Two teams that are locked in, trying to make playoff pushes, tiebreakers.
05:58There's just a different energy when you get this type of experience.
06:01Legs, they always say that it's difficult to beat a team two in a row during the regular season
06:06when you're playing back-to-back.
06:07Well, there's no doubt.
06:08And I think the adjustments all fall on the part of the team that lost on Monday,
06:12and that's the Houston Rockets, particularly the way their offense operated down the stretch.
06:17So now you're going to see what Imei Udoka has come up with
06:20other than having Shingun out there, which is certainly going to help.
06:23Well, Monday night, the final score is 100-92.
06:27Part of it was some terrific defense from both teams,
06:30and part of it was just some rough shooting and some rough offense.
06:36Dacic to DeAndre Ayton.
06:39First shot of the night, LeBron James knocks down the three.
06:42Three-pointers did not fall with regularity on Monday night.
06:46But how about the play by DeAndre Ayton right there?
06:48They trap, they trap Luka, they throw it to him, he makes the right decision,
06:53hits the open three-point shooter.
06:55Thompson off the miss, has it tipped right back to him,
06:57and I'm in Thompson with the first bucket for the Rockets.
07:02Rockets 23-9 on their home floor.
07:05They've sold out every game near at the Toyota Center this season.
07:09As Dacic gets in the paint, contested shot, can't get it.
07:12Jabari Smith the rebound.
07:15Lakers, meanwhile, have been a good road team.
07:17Pass ahead to Shingu, turns, can't get it.
07:20Dacic's the rebound.
07:21Quickly said to Sean Wright, he thought he was fouled down the other end.
07:26Lakers 20-13 on the road.
07:30Including that victory Monday night, Dacic throws it in, and Ayton finishes.
07:34That's just great understanding on the part of Luka Dacic,
07:37because he dragged two with him.
07:39But if he throws that pass lower or a bounce pass, it's going to get stolen.
07:43He put it in the one place De'Andre Aiton could finish.
07:46Dari Eason, good move, couldn't finish.
07:48Battle for the rebound.
07:49Marcus Smart throws it ahead to Reeves.
07:53Reeves did not shoot the ball well on Monday night,
07:55but he has been on a tear prior to the Monday night game,
07:58and draws the foul as he splits the defense.
08:04And watch this.
08:05Simple, high-screen and roll.
08:06They're keeping extra bodies, but good job.
08:09Catching it, knowing where your outlets are,
08:11and figuring out the best place to attack them.
08:14Then here, Luka drags the pick and roll,
08:17and now he goes to the rim.
08:18Instead of being his outlet, he goes to the rim and gives him another opportunity.
08:22Reeves just went to the free throw line thinking he was shooting,
08:25but it seemed to be the right call.
08:26Side out.
08:27And then Thompson picks up his first.
08:29Thompson, one of the elite defenders in the game.
08:33Reeves got it by Smith.
08:34Step back, three-pointer, in and out.
08:38Eason the rebound as it moves from the crowd on that.
08:42Eason drives inside, gets past.
08:44Donchich lays it up and in.
08:45I love when the Rockets play fast.
08:48And when they get up the floor and attack a defense that's still getting organized,
08:51they have to have more possessions where they're not getting deep into the shot clock.
08:56Smith now on Donchich.
08:58Eason sets the screen.
09:00Eason one of the better screen setters in the league.
09:02Donchich draws the foul.
09:03Got Smith up in the air.
09:05It'll be three free throws.
09:07Feluka Donchich.
09:10Hi, guys.
09:11Hi, guys.
09:12Come on, guys.
09:12Let's go.
09:12Had that 36-point game on Monday night.
09:16Look at the numbers.
09:18Not only leads the NBA, he's third in assists.
09:21Then he throws in the eight rebounds.
09:22He's in the top ten in steals.
09:24He has been brilliant this season.
09:25No, he has.
09:27If the Lakers are in three right now, and they've been jockeying back and forth between three, five, and six.
09:33It's all over the place.
09:34But if they were consistently in that two-three spot, I think there would be more conversation for an MVP
09:39season from Luka.
09:40Well, for people who follow the Lakers and watch their ups and downs, it's like Michael Corleone and the Godfather.
09:46Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in because everybody's back in with this latest stretch.
09:55Luka Doncic gets to the free throw line more than anybody in the NBA.
09:59He also scores more points in the first quarter than anyone in the NBA.
10:05Obviously plays a lot of minutes in the opening period and likes to set the tone.
10:10Missed his first two-go.
10:11On the free throw line, he's at 77%.
10:17And misses all three.
10:18I don't know if he's ever done that.
10:20I don't think I've ever seen him do that.
10:22Well, it's incredible to me that a scorer like Luka Doncic, that is so good from deep,
10:28has never had a season in the NBA where he's been at 80% from the foul line.
10:33It's usually high in the upper 70s.
10:36Cengun out to Smith.
10:39Doncic with some solid defense.
10:41Smith shoots over him.
10:42And Aiton comes to get the rebound.
10:44He's been a lot of talk.
10:45Have you noticed better defense from Luka Doncic recently?
10:47Well, that was a good position defense right there.
10:51You stay down early as LeBron knocks down another three,
10:54his second triple of this first quarter.
10:57But Luka's just moving his feet.
10:58If Jabari Smith raises up over you and knocks down a little 5-7 footer,
11:03that's okay.
11:04It's the blow-bys.
11:05It's the not paying attention on defense.
11:07Those are the things that catch up to the Lakers.
11:09Eason takes it back after the blocked shot.
11:12Smith has it.
11:13Shock block at six.
11:14Inside Thompson.
11:16And a momentary lapse defensively there from the Lakers,
11:19who are much improved as a team defensively,
11:21but not in that sequence.
11:23Well, they relaxed when that ball went over toward the sideline.
11:25It looked like it was going out of bounds.
11:27Jabari Smith's able to save it.
11:29And then the backside of the Lakers defense relaxed.
11:32Did not see the cutter.
11:33Doncic misfires there.
11:35Cengun the rebound.
11:37Cengun their leading rebounder.
11:39Their leading assist man.
11:41And second leading scorer after Durant.
11:44Nice push shot from Alfred Cengun.
11:47That's big, and that's three possessions now
11:48that they've attacked in the first six, seven seconds of the shot clock.
11:51And I don't know if that's going to become a point of emphasis for this team,
11:54but I think it has to be to open up their offense
11:57and give them some opportunities for some easier points.
12:00James kicks it back out.
12:02Reeves chased off the three-point mark.
12:03Now pulls up.
12:04Bang shot.
12:05Can't get it.
12:05Thompson the rebound.
12:11Thompson 5, Cengun.
12:13Durant with his first shot of the night.
12:16Really struggled in that second half.
12:19Just two points in the second half
12:21after a good first half on Monday night.
12:25Gains the fake.
12:27Beautiful pass.
12:28Open three.
12:30Aiden tips it in.
12:31DeAndre 8 with a couple of buckets early.
12:33And the Lakers back up by two.
12:37He's a different player when he gets some touches early.
12:39He just gets more energized.
12:41He's already touched the ball four times.
12:42Now, one of it was his own doing on the offensive lap.
12:45But three other touches in the half court, RJ, I just think it engages him.
12:49But sometimes, like you said, that was his own doing.
12:51You have to participate in your own rescue sometimes.
12:53You have to find ways to get yourself involved.
12:57This ball foul is going to go against Smith.
12:59I think that should be his second off the miss.
13:04Tari Eason just missed that threes.
13:05Missed 19 consecutive threes now.
13:07He was number two in the league at one point.
13:09And here you see DeAndre 8 just eats up that space.
13:12Off of the penetration by LeBron and the kickout.
13:14Now you have a defense in scramble mode.
13:16So there's a vacuum there in front of the rim.
13:19Now, DeAndre 8 stays out by the elbow and jogs back on defense.
13:22He doesn't create the opportunity.
13:23He went after it, and fortunately, it came in his direction.
13:27And at seven feet tall, that's an easy foot back.
13:29Everybody talking about him using the X-Factor cliche.
13:32But certainly appropriate.
13:34And he's engaged and playing well.
13:36The Lakers tough to beat.
13:37Gets another shot.
13:38Not that time.
13:39James tips it.
13:41And Kogi knocked it away.
13:42Thompson comes to get it.
13:44Thompson inside.
13:46Eason throws it down.
13:49Eason, again, struggling right now from three-point range recently.
13:53But he is one of the premier role players in the game.
13:56No, he is.
13:57And that's where the three-point shot was such an added bonus to what he had been doing.
14:03I love that.
14:04You see him defensively being more aggressive.
14:06Again, DeAndre 8 with those early touches you talked about, Legs.
14:11Decent foul by Dacic.
14:13That shot, I don't think they're going to count that.
14:15We're going to have our first timeout.
14:17Well, it's 6.23 remaining.
14:22And DeAndre 8.
14:24Luka connecting early.
14:263 for 4 in this early going in the first.
14:36Welcome back to Houston, where perhaps no Rocket was more motivated to be getting a second crack at the Lakers
14:42tonight than Kevin Durant.
14:43After Monday's game, Durant said that loss was on him.
14:47And today at shoot-around, he said he just felt like he could have been much more effective and was
14:51looking forward to rectifying that tonight.
14:53After 19 seasons, KD has certainly seen every defense, and he said it's a sign of respect that he still
14:59gets so much attention.
15:00But he said he himself also continues to learn.
15:03He said it's always a test of his patience.
15:06And that what Monday's game reminded him of was that when he rushes, trying to make the right play too
15:11quickly, that leads to turnover.
15:13So he said tonight about staying patient, letting the offense develop, making the right reads.
15:18He said teams do a great job trying to take him out of the game.
15:21But ultimately, KD said it just makes him smarter.
15:24Mike?
15:25All right, Lisa.
15:26Shang-Goon with the bucket there.
15:28As we reach the midway point here of the first.
15:31Dodgers guarded by Eason.
15:32Eason a good defender.
15:34Tough fallaway shot.
15:35Can't get it.
15:36Eason the rebound.
15:38Eason's become a full-time star of this season.
15:46And a foul away from the ball.
15:54Hachimura picks up his first.
15:57Now, Legs, before we get started, we have some elite shoe game out there.
16:00Kevin Durant has some of the biggest mustard yellow shoes that I have ever seen.
16:05LeBron's got some elites on.
16:07I'm digging Lucas.
16:08Lucas, what color would you call that?
16:10Like a salmon?
16:12Yes, a mauve.
16:13If you will.
16:14Ball poked away by James.
16:16Stabbed on the other end.
16:18And throws it down.
16:20Defense leading the offense.
16:22And James, another fast-break opportunity.
16:24Lakers back up by two.
16:25And you saw Kevin Durant imploring the corner shooters to come up.
16:29Make yourself available on the wings as Reed Shepard comes off a ball screen.
16:33Knocks down his first shot.
16:34He's been struggling with his three-point shots.
16:36That's a great sign for Houston.
16:37But Kevin Durant was imploring his teammates, give me better spacing offensively.
16:42They did not have that in the fourth quarter Monday night.
16:45Donchich double.
16:46Fires away.
16:48James aggressively goes inside.
16:50Kicks it back out.
16:51Reeves.
16:51Donchich.
16:52Little head fake.
16:53Three-pointers curve.
16:55Great ball movement from the Lakers.
16:59Five assists on their seven field goals.
17:03Kepard inside.
17:04Stolen by Donchich.
17:07And in the top ten and steals per game.
17:09Layup can't get it, but a foul as he goes crashing to the floor.
17:15I don't know if you guys saw Luka got that steal.
17:17And all of a sudden he had a little something to say to the crowd.
17:20He hits this shot and then he basically thanked.
17:22He's over here in the crowd for getting him going.
17:25This is great patience.
17:26That's a hard thing to do, to ball fake and reload without dribbling and then make the shot.
17:32You see right here, he's got some words.
17:34And then he gives him a little thank you at the end of that.
17:36Oh, and then he came back after that steal right there and decided to look at him in mid-steel.
17:41I haven't seen that many times, that type of crowd reaction.
17:44This stuff absolutely fuels him more than most.
17:48Look at this.
17:48He looks over.
17:51That's what me and Legs are laughing about.
17:53It's like he's looking over that admit, like, thank you.
17:56I needed to wake up.
17:57I appreciate it.
17:58They just had that game.
18:00He was zealous of the Chicago Bulls that got him going.
18:02He had a slow start and then erupted.
18:07And you look at the onslaught in that first quarter.
18:13And getting to the free throw line, all the big scores usually get to the free throw line.
18:17He missed his first three.
18:19And it knocks down those two.
18:20Lakers up four.
18:25Jackson Hayes trying to play physical with Durant.
18:28A lot of shoving.
18:29Durant stepped out of bounds.
18:32Kevin Durant said to Reed Shepard, relax.
18:36Well, there's a lot of extra energy again.
18:38You see the Lakers, even on these passes, they're in the deflection zone.
18:41We talked about in the open.
18:43It's not just individual defense.
18:44It's team defense.
18:45It's being in the right spot.
18:47It's helping the helper.
18:48That's what the Lakers have been doing an outstanding job of.
18:50Rockets had 24 turnovers on Monday night.
18:53Nine in the fourth quarter.
18:56Durant grabs the rebound.
18:58Shang-Goon hands off to Shepard.
19:03It's kind of point guard by committee.
19:06You get an old Fred VanVleet out for the whole season.
19:08He would have been their starting point guard.
19:12Durant tied up.
19:14Give and go with Shang-Goon.
19:16Nice fake.
19:17Little jumper's good.
19:18Kevin Durant gets on the board.
19:20And he worked for that basket.
19:21He had three different opportunities trying to get a shot off.
19:25And he'd go up to one foot, basically, on that ball fake to create some space.
19:29Very difficult shot.
19:32Kennard to Hayes.
19:35And Kogi guarding Reeves.
19:36Shot clock at seven.
19:38Reeves cross Hachimor.
19:39Corner three.
19:40He's been good from there all season.
19:45And the Lakers four of eight from three-point range.
19:47They've gotten much better as the season has gone on.
19:50Obviously, the addition of Kennard has helped.
19:56Shang-Goon gets inside.
19:59A tough throw down from Alperen Shang-Goon.
20:02And it's back to a three-point game.
20:10Thompson and Donchich.
20:12A fun matchup.
20:13Donchich gets inside.
20:15Pulls up.
20:15Shot short.
20:16Nope.
20:16Bounces up and in.
20:18And even against an elite defensor like Thompson, he has the ability to stop, start, and get him on his
20:25heels.
20:26But Thompson is as a lead of a defender and a finisher, as you will see in this league.
20:31Once the leaders come into the paint, as the Rockets get the bucket, it's back to a three-point Laker
20:38lead.
20:39Well, we've seen some power basketball here early.
20:41LeBron James with the breakaway to go with a couple of threes.
20:46And if Shang-Goon gets a mismatch, you know he's going to take it to the rim.
20:51Book player pulse.
20:53And there you see the two stars.
20:55Despite Luka missing three free throws, well on his way to his season average.
20:58Kevin Rand's got some work to do.
21:00DraftKings is the number one sports book for live betting.
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21:05Dorian Finney-Smith in for the first time.
21:07Clint Capella as well.
21:09Capella started the other night inside.
21:11Jackson Hayes gets it.
21:12Blocked and fouled.
21:14Durant will pick up his first.
21:15And as Hayes took a shot.
21:19Two free throws for Jackson Hayes.
21:24Both teams shooting the ball well early.
21:2656% for the Rockets, 53% for the Lakers.
21:31Rockets are pretty much unbeatable when they shoot well.
21:33When they shoot 50% or better, they're 21-3 this year.
21:37Well, they have that defense behind them.
21:39When you have elite defenders, if they can get that offense flowing, they can knock down shots.
21:44Again, not having Steven Adams and that offensive rebounding kind of onslaught that they were putting on teams in the
21:50first 30, 40 games of the season.
21:52Their offense has struggled.
21:54Steven Adams missed the last 27 games.
21:57He's out for the season.
21:58He's been out since late January.
22:02The left ankle surgery.
22:03One of the elite offensive rebounders of his era.
22:06And that's a very big loss for them, even though Mosley came off the bench.
22:11Shepard off the bench with his second three-pointer.
22:14And he had been struggling coming in, but it's amazing.
22:16You get that first one to go, and now you're going to go hunting.
22:20He came off of that dribble handoff, and he already had those hips turned ready to let it fly.
22:25Dacic, bullet pass inside.
22:27Smart, lefty pass to a lefty.
22:29And Canard knocks down the three.
22:31Canard still leads the NBA in three-point percentage, 48%.
22:35The number's a little lower since he joined the Lakers.
22:40Shepard, a floater, can't get it to go, and Hayes with a rebound.
22:50Menard's good screen set.
22:52Shepard right there to help out.
22:53Menard off the bounce.
22:55Now steps back.
22:57It's beautiful.
22:58It's, again, he's a connector.
23:00People talk about his percentage and opening up the floor,
23:03but it's his ability to keep the ball moving,
23:07make the right read, drive a closeout.
23:09That's where he's been a difference maker, in my opinion, for the Lakers,
23:12not just as a floor spacing.
23:14Dacic's rebound off the finish.
23:16Smith missed, tries another, catch another.
23:19Luka Dacic, his second three, and he's in double figures here in this first quarter.
23:25Lakers have made eight shots in a row.
23:27They're up to 60% from the field.
23:29They're the number one shooting team in the league.
23:31As Canard fouls Durant before the shot attempt.
23:38Well, this is such a weapon for Luka Dacic.
23:41He's going to drive that right foot into the defender,
23:44and that's just what makes him freeze, goes to the step back.
23:47You know, he can be streaky.
23:49You see him again engaging with this conversation.
23:51This is going to be all night.
23:53But he can be streaky throughout the course of his career.
23:57He's over 40% from the three-point line since January 1st.
24:00That's two-and-a-half months for a guy that utilizes that shot that frequently.
24:06That is a very significant number for the Lakers.
24:09Sometimes you get involved with the crowd.
24:11For some players, it can kind of take you off your game.
24:13Others, the focus just goes sky high.
24:16There are certain players that you are taught to leave alone.
24:20Let them stay asleep.
24:22You do not want to wake a sleeping giant.
24:24Shot clock winding down.
24:25Thompson flips it up with a little English.
24:27Beautiful move from Thompson.
24:29He's got eight points here on the first.
24:31His growth offensively is a big part of the Rockets' success.
24:34You know what he does at this end.
24:37All-NBA defenders.
24:40Dachis pulls back, tries another one.
24:42Can't get that to fall, and Penny Smith grabs it.
24:52Durant.
24:54Here comes the double team.
24:55You saw that.
24:56Smart takes it away.
24:57Beautiful steal from Smart.
24:59Stumbles a bit.
24:59Gets it back.
25:01Dachis wide open.
25:02Three-pointer.
25:02It's good.
25:03Marcus Smart, another defensive play.
25:06Leads to a three.
25:07And it's now a nine-point advantage.
25:10As again, Houston struggles to navigate these double teams on Kevin Durant.
25:14That far out on the floor.
25:16Nice pass.
25:17Thompson up and under.
25:19Doesn't go, and that ends the first.
25:22Lakers didn't turn it over once.
25:24The Rockets turned it over four times.
25:27And Luka Dachis another strong first period.
25:29And we talked about Marcus Smart making defensive plays.
25:34Former defensive player of the year.
25:36Stealing the ball from the former MVP.
25:39Giving it to Luka to seal the deal.
25:47It's time for tonight's Access, presented by Samsung Galaxy.
25:51Rui, up nine.
25:52What's flowing offensively right now?
25:54Defense.
25:54I think it's tough for the defense.
25:56You know, we hold KD to just two points.
25:58And getting a lot of tunnel bars.
26:00You know, that's why I get in the first break, and then we're getting those points.
26:03And you mentioned holding KD to just two points.
26:05Over the last, what, three quarters, you've held him to just four points overall.
26:10Just what are you guys doing that's so effective defensively against KD?
26:13It's a team defense.
26:14You know, not only one guy guarding.
26:15You know, we hold teams guarding him.
26:17So, that's why it's working.
26:19All right.
26:19Thanks for your time.
26:20Mike.
26:20All right, Lise.
26:21Earlier this season, the Lakers were a below average, if this is a nice way to put it,
26:26below average defensive team.
26:27They have really turned it around.
26:29They have.
26:30And in my opinion, they're not this lockdown defensive team.
26:34But there were extra efforts that they could make.
26:36There were plays and defensive schemes that they could execute better.
26:40I don't know if they have the personnel to be an OKC, to be a San Antonio.
26:45But they do have the personnel to be a better team defensive group.
26:48And they've been doing this over that stretch.
26:51Thompson, it's a fair.
26:52He's got ten points.
26:54Laker lead is seven.
26:56Thompson, Shang-Goon, Finney Smith, Jabari Smith, and Reed Shepard out there for the Rockets.
27:00Kennard.
27:01Nice play from Shepard with the steal.
27:03First turnover for the Lakers.
27:08Shang-Goon double-teamed.
27:10Inside Thompson.
27:11Back up top.
27:12Shepard.
27:12Good closeout by Smart.
27:14Now, a little further out.
27:17Does not get it.
27:18Looked like it might fall down.
27:19Smith, the rebound.
27:20Back to Thompson.
27:25Shang-Goon calling for it.
27:26Here comes the double-team on him.
27:28Lakers doing a lot of double-teaming on the key players for the Rockets.
27:31Benny Smith, Jackson Hayes may have gotten a piece of it and a 24-second violation.
27:38More strong Laker defense.
27:40There's a lot of activity on that, and especially the second part of that.
27:44When they run that double-team along the baseline on Shang-Goon, they're willing to give up that
27:49cross-court wing three-point shot because there are a number of guys on the Rockets right now
27:53struggling to find any rhythm out there.
27:58J.J. Redick loves the way the team is playing.
28:01And he feels, I'm confident we can stay there.
28:04It's going to slow build.
28:05James!
28:06Oh, LeBron James!
28:0841 years old, throwing it down!
28:11And what a pass as well.
28:13The lead back up to nine.
28:15Don't you dare talk about that pass.
28:17That was all about the catch.
28:19Woo!
28:21Javari Smith pulls up.
28:23Shot is good.
28:24Are you like me?
28:25Did that look like a certain turnover when that ball was thrown?
28:29I did not think LeBron was going to be able to get...
28:32Not catch it and grab it.
28:34That's a prize even for young LeBron.
28:36Nice move from Reeves.
28:37His first bucket does have three assists.
28:40Lakers by nine.
28:43Thompson very aggressive offensively.
28:45Lays it up and in.
28:46He's got 12 points.
28:48And he is lightning quick.
28:50From a position where both feet are basically even and he's vertical.
28:55His next step is lightning quick.
28:57And Shingun was on the back side sealing any help defense.
29:01Smart gets in the paint.
29:02Kicks it out.
29:03James thought about a three.
29:05Kicks it inside.
29:06Hayes hammered from behind.
29:08Smith will pick up his third personal or free throws for Hayes.
29:13Again, the Lakers are moving the ball so well and just he caught that behind the backboard.
29:20I love it when players would say, man, what a pass.
29:22Like, pass?
29:23That was a heck of a catch.
29:25Catch and finish by LeBron James.
29:27I haven't seen the old fella get up that high in a while.
29:30So much talked about how he's willing to become the third option now behind Donchich and Reeves.
29:36Perhaps the greatest third option in NBA history.
29:39Although there's been quite a few big threes where the third option over time has been great.
29:44Lakers certainly had a bunch of those.
29:48Meanwhile, the Lakers, now they're up by seven and they've missed six free throws.
29:57Just over two minutes gone by here in the second.
30:03Kevin Durant just two points early.
30:07Rockets is down by eight.
30:09Shepard.
30:11Well defended by Reeves.
30:13They're just contesting more shots.
30:16They're just more energy defensively that you can see with the eye test from the Lakers.
30:24Reeves' hesitation.
30:25Battled around by Thompson.
30:26Hayes gets it back.
30:28Laravia, nobody near him.
30:30And gets it a fall.
30:32Emei Udoka not happy at all right now.
30:35They're eight of 13 from three.
30:3861 percent.
30:42He's got a little quiet here.
30:44Although there's a pretty fair number of Laker fans as usual.
30:47Shepard, a contested three.
30:49In and out.
30:50Shang-Goon had it, lost it.
30:52Still loose, picked up Laravia.
30:54Here comes James, runaway train!
30:58Timeout Rockets.
31:00LeBron James putting on a show.
31:04Some vintage LeBron James.
31:07And it's 45-32.
31:10He's going to have a hard time convincing anyway.
31:13Anybody.
31:13This guy's 41 years old.
31:15LeBron James has had the energy from the jump.
31:19Started with some three-point shooting.
31:21And now it's all about the finish.
31:26This is brought to you by Metro by T-Mobile.
31:29Oh, let's take a look at LeBron James.
31:30He's five for five so far in this game.
31:33He's had a couple of threes, but it's been his dunks.
31:36He's taken off from the dot to finish it.
31:39Don't tell me this man is 45 years old.
31:41He's looking 25.
31:42You know, some nights he plays like the LeBron James we've watched for 23 seasons.
31:47And other nights, plays like you'd expect somebody who's played the second most games in NBA history.
31:53Tonight, though, just spectacular energy and athleticism.
31:58Good defense from Laravia.
32:00Shang-Goon, the good footwork, and lays it up and in.
32:03And I like sometimes when Shang-Goon goes a little quicker in the post.
32:06He's so used to waiting on double teams because he's such a great passer.
32:10Sometimes, if you feel that leverage behind, you just go immediately and attack.
32:13He got himself an easy one.
32:16Stolen by Shepard.
32:17His second steal.
32:18Thompson goes inside.
32:20He throws it down.
32:22Oh, for the Rockets, their defense turns to offense.
32:34Thompson puts so much pressure on the ball.
32:37As Reeves gets inside.
32:38Well defended again.
32:40Poked away, but a foul.
32:41Thompson doesn't like it.
32:43He'll pick up his second.
32:47And again, Marcus Smart has to come to this ball.
32:50He can't stop.
32:51Reed Shepard does a great job of continuing.
32:53And once you get it back to the fast break demon, there's not a lot that you can do.
32:58It's also why he's one of the tops in the leagues and dunks and finishes.
33:01And Reed Shepard is a guy that we'll get talked about sometimes as being picked on in one-on-one
33:05situations.
33:06But he does that very well.
33:08His anticipation in the passing lanes can be disrupted.
33:11James gets the roll.
33:13Lays it up and in.
33:13And this is a command performance here in the first half for LeBron James.
33:1814 points.
33:19Six for six from the field.
33:22Including a couple of threes.
33:25Jangoon falls down.
33:30Arabia the foul.
33:33Well, he scored a variety of ways tonight, but this is a little bit different here.
33:37This is just catching the ball immediately on the catch.
33:40Seeing that there's a gap there.
33:42One dribble and he's at the rim.
33:44And this is forced just playing through two defenders and then the soft touch on the end.
33:50There's some nights you just see he just has that unbelievable energy.
33:54Obviously, they've been here in Houston for a couple of days, so didn't have to fly anywhere for this second
34:00road game against the Rockets.
34:02Changoon kicks it out corners.
34:03Nice little fake sidestep.
34:06Knocks down the three.
34:07First three-pointer for Jabari Smith, second field goal.
34:11And Jabari Smith is one of those players.
34:13If he hits a couple early, he gets his confidence.
34:15He just, he's a lot more forceful with everything he does.
34:19The later in the game he has an impact, you just don't see the same aggression.
34:23Thompson the rebound.
34:24Thompson do a little bit of everything right now.
34:26Oh, so the Rockets kicks it out.
34:28Eason is back in.
34:35Changoon, Smith checks his feet.
34:37Can't get it the fall.
34:39Yeah, Hachimura rips down that rebound.
34:44LaRavia, a little sidestep.
34:46Awkward off-balance.
34:48And the Rockets come the other way.
34:52Changoon, oh, that beautiful spin move lays it up and in.
34:56He's upset.
34:57It looked like it was contact there.
34:59I mean, you didn't even have to see it.
35:00You could hear it.
35:01There was so much contact on his left arm when he came out of that spin.
35:05That absolutely should have been an and-one.
35:07Pass inside, DeAndre Ayton.
35:09Nice adjustment in the air on the feet from LaRavia.
35:22Shepard said a nice job off the bench tonight.
35:24Both ends of the floor.
35:26Eason looking to get going way off on the three.
35:29His three-point blows continue.
35:31James, double-team, back out.
35:33Reeves, open three-pointer.
35:35The tip, that's no good.
35:37And Eason comes out of the pack.
35:39Here come the Rockets.
35:40Changoon shuffles it to Thompson.
35:43Knocked out of his hands, out of bounds.
35:44Still Rockets ball.
35:45Excellent transition defense.
35:50Here's the play Changoon was upset about.
35:53Kogi and Duran come back in.
35:56You think he got down here, right?
36:01I think pretty much just about every person on the court in the building
36:06knew there was a lot of contact on his left hand.
36:10Frustrated at not getting that one,
36:12particularly when they've had a difficult time guarding the Lakers.
36:16It helps when you can get that free throw and set up your defense.
36:18Changoon inside.
36:20Eason throws it down.
36:22Then you look, Kevin Durant only has two points,
36:24and the Rockets are only down by six,
36:27considering how great the Lakers are shooting.
36:30I think that's the silver lining,
36:31because the Lakers have been exceptional offensively,
36:34as DeAndre Ayton continues that with an easy finish right there.
36:38Despite Durant's slow start and the fact the Lakers are rolling,
36:42you still have this within eight points.
36:45Reed Shepard deflected by Kennard.
36:47Reeves throws it ahead.
36:48Donchett's going to have an easy one.
36:50Luka Donchett lays it up and in.
36:53And the lead is back up to ten.
36:55He's having a grand old time out there.
36:57Yeah, and his teammates were giving him thumbs down and booze.
36:59They want to see a Luka dunk.
37:02I actually don't blame him for not dunking up based on what LeBron's done.
37:05Of course you don't.
37:05Of course you don't blame him.
37:07I blame him.
37:08No, I hear you.
37:09That makes a lot of sense.
37:10But I think by comparison to what LeBron's done,
37:12he probably didn't want to do anything on that.
37:15Eason is fouled.
37:16Takes a hard fall.
37:19Helped up by Aiden.
37:21And, again, when you get this 1-0, there's nobody around.
37:24Take your time.
37:25Get your steps right.
37:26And then you go give us a filet.
37:29You give us a lay.
37:30Come on, Luka.
37:32That's why he's like, hey, forget it, guys.
37:33Don't worry about it.
37:34Or maybe that's where you drop it off to Luke Kennard
37:36and then go, man, why didn't you dunk that?
37:38I thought you were going to dunk that.
37:39But then also he saw him two points.
37:41Like, guys, it's two points.
37:42It's two points.
37:42Just let it go.
37:43Well, that might be one of the reasons why he's amongst the leaders in minutes per game.
37:47At times, just takes it nice and easy.
37:50National TV schedule.
37:51NBA TV Thursday.
37:53Lando at Charlotte.
37:54NBA TV Friday.
37:56Houston, Halston, Atlanta.
37:57And then NBC Peacock on Sunday.
38:00The Celtics and the Timberwolves.
38:01So many important games down the stretch of the regular season.
38:05The top teams want to make sure they're in the top six.
38:07Avoid the play-in.
38:09Trying to get home court advantage.
38:11It's a big game in terms of this will settle the tiebreaker between these two.
38:15Just like the Lakers' Nuggets the other night did.
38:18And a moving screen called on Kennard.
38:22Three through six.
38:24Just separated by a game and a half.
38:26Just incredible.
38:28And Phoenix lurking.
38:30Although going to be difficult without Dylan Brooks still out with the injury.
38:34Sons have dropped a few games in a row.
38:37How about what the first round is going to be like some of those possible matchups?
38:42But it looks similar to last year.
38:43Last year, Lakers played well at the end, getting themselves all the way up to three.
38:47They go against a Minnesota team that had made a trade at the start of the season
38:51to start playing better basketball late.
38:54But it's going to be bunched up.
38:55And we're going to have some outstanding first-round matchups.
39:01There's a double again on Durant.
39:04Okoge back up top to Eason.
39:06Shot clock at six.
39:08Eason spins.
39:09Gets a shot off him.
39:10Puts it in.
39:11Tough shot from Tari Eason.
39:13He's got ten points.
39:14And I give him credit because he didn't settle for a three-point shot right now,
39:18which he just can't make.
39:19He put it back down and used his physicality to get something closer to the basket
39:23at the end of that possession.
39:27Still four minutes left here.
39:28It's been a fun first half.
39:30Dodgers, good job from Smith trying to stay with him.
39:33Doesn't go for the fake.
39:35Kennard up top.
39:36Marcus Smart, three-pointer.
39:37It's good.
39:38Nine for 15 from three-point range on the Lakers.
39:42And I'm going to give credit to Luke Kennard on that one.
39:45Luka does all the work.
39:46Gets it to Luke Kennard.
39:47They close out on him.
39:48He drives and makes the right play.
39:50And gets it.
39:51Marcus Smart an open shot.
39:52He has all the ability to be selfish in that moment,
39:54but that's where he's a connector.
39:57Thompson.
39:58Eason.
39:59Still can't get it to go.
40:01Rebound.
40:01Smart.
40:03Eason again.
40:04He was second in the NBA for a good portion of the season from three-point range.
40:07He's missed 21 in a row.
40:09Dodgers comes up short.
40:11Kennard bumps Eason.
40:15Jabari Smith backs in against Smart.
40:17The double.
40:21Smith jump shot.
40:22Got it.
40:25Seven points for Smith.
40:27Seven-point lead for the Lakers.
40:41The Kodi, good defender guarding Dodgers.
40:44Difficult catch deep in the corner.
40:46Dodgers still gets off the shot.
40:47Can't get it to fall.
40:48Durant the rebound.
40:49Durant's taking two shots here in the first half.
40:53Damari Smith in and out.
40:56Rebound.
40:57Eason back up and does not get the bounce.
41:00Fight for the loose ball.
41:01They come down.
41:02Donchich has it.
41:03Rips it away.
41:03Trying to get it out.
41:05And a foul is going to be called.
41:07Normally you see those jump balls, but Donchich did a great job keeping it away from the Rockets.
41:13And then Eason called for the foul.
41:16Playing with a little desperation defensively.
41:19Lakers getting after it, including their star.
41:22Look at Donchich leaving some skin on the floor.
41:28Dale Technologies.
41:29The Hawks and the Pistons.
41:32And then out West Rockets and the Timberwolves.
41:34NBA Countdown crew tips off the coverage at 6.30 Eastern.
41:39Hawks right now, the hottest team in the NBA.
41:41Lakers right up there as well.
41:43Ten straight for Quinn Snyder and the Hawks.
41:46Lakers, of course, won nine of ten.
41:49Meanwhile, the Rockets, two points for Kevin Durant.
41:52I have rarely seen in all his years in the league, Kevin Durant this uninvolved in an offense.
41:58Well, and for me, they're continuing to let him bring the ball over half court and just accept these traps.
42:03They're not really getting enough out of it.
42:06I'd love to see him start a possession somewhere else on the floor as DeAndre Aiton continues to play well
42:11here tonight.
42:12Aiton is six for seven.
42:14He's got 12 points.
42:15A couple of rebounds.
42:17Lakers lead back up to nine.
42:19Ken, if you weren't looking at the scoreboard, you'd think the Lakers would be up 15 to 20.
42:23Durant misses that.
42:25Just one of three now.
42:26And look, Reeves down the other end, lays it up in an easy bucket.
42:29Notchich took a tumble and was grimacing.
42:31Now gets up quickly.
42:34Trying to stay with Jabari Smith.
42:37Kogi lines up that three.
42:38That's good.
42:39He has shot well from three-point range this year.
42:43Oh, that's an even-great walk of the court.
42:46Once I looked up and saw that right there, nothing will send a coach to the looney bin faster than
42:54that.
42:54James is now seven for seven from the field.
42:59And he leads everybody in scoring with 16.
43:01Donchich has 15.
43:06Aiton, the spin.
43:07Goes inside.
43:08He's been very aggressive going in.
43:09Well defended.
43:11Donchich throws it off.
43:12Deason and apologizes to him.
43:16And again, this is when you're looking at the Lakers defense, their rotation.
43:21They got two people running at Kevin Durant.
43:23Yes, he normally makes it, but then you have a player leak out.
43:26Somebody's got to get back on the raise of that shot when Kevin Durant's at the top of the key.
43:31They feed Aiton again.
43:33And he's been so aggressive.
43:34Puts it up.
43:35Shot of his.
43:35Oh, good James right there.
43:37He is turning back the clock here in the first half.
43:42Eight for eight from the field.
43:44Eighteen points with some thunderous dunks.
43:51Durant.
43:52Smith.
43:53Quarter three.
43:54That's good.
43:54Much improved from three.
43:56Jabari Smith.
43:56That's his second three-pointer.
44:06Dodgich steps back.
44:07Shot doesn't go.
44:08Long rebound.
44:09And then Thompson.
44:11Thompson racing up the floor.
44:13Beautiful pass inside to Aiton.
44:15Well, not loose.
44:17Smart.
44:17And here's going to be another layup.
44:18Although Okoge going to try and stop it.
44:20And a foul.
44:21Not a smart play from Okoge.
44:23Dodgich takes a shot.
44:24And a chance for a three-point play.
44:26Lakers now up 11 again.
44:29He's fine.
44:29He's just taking a little extra break right there.
44:33And you're right.
44:34That's not a smart foul.
44:35He had 10-foot, 15-foot advantage when he catches this basketball.
44:39This is their fourth breakaway of the half.
44:43Josh Okoge.
44:44Okay, you can look at that and say it's a good effort.
44:46He was not going to get there in time.
44:48That's film effort.
44:50That's film effort right there.
44:51We just got beat on one.
44:53I don't want to be responsible.
44:54I'm not going to pull back.
44:56I'm going to give this extra effort even though you know it's fake hustle.
45:00And I respect it for Josh Okoge.
45:01You got to do something.
45:03You got to show some energy.
45:04Maybe he misses the layup and he has to shoot two free throws.
45:07So it's not all for nothing.
45:09You know, part of the reason they're getting these runouts,
45:12the spacing for the Rockets offensively is not what a lot of teams look like
45:16with two or three guys spaced out at the three-point line
45:18where you're naturally in position to get back.
45:20They've got a lot of guys that are trying to cut and slash
45:23and get on the offensive glass.
45:24You're susceptible to those.
45:26Shot clock turned off.
45:28James with a foul.
45:30That's going to be his first.
45:32And the Lakers with a foul to give.
45:34So side out.
45:36Doncic's left leg is bleeding
45:38through that sleeve that he's got.
45:41He ain't got time to bleed.
45:44He ain't got time to bleed.
45:45Apparently he does because he's bleeding.
45:47Inside Thompson blocked by Aiden.
45:50DeAndre Aiden with a terrific defensive play.
45:53Lakers trying to say that Thompson's momentum knocked the ball out of bounds.
46:00They want Aiden's game a little overshadowed here in the first half
46:04because of what LeBron James is doing.
46:073.6 left.
46:09Now Ben Thompson, three-pointer.
46:12That won't go.
46:12And that will end the first half.
46:15LeBron James with 18 points.
46:18Eight of eight shooting.
46:21Spectacular play from James in the first 17 minutes that he's played.
46:26He had a lot of help though.
46:27Meanwhile, Kevin Durant only with two points.
46:30Coming up, the halftime presented by Hyundai.
46:35L.A. Lakers, they've won six in a row.
46:38Albert, Shang-Goon and the Rockets trying to stop them.
46:41Two quarters complete here in Houston.
46:44Lakers up a dozen.
46:49The arena because you got the rodeo going on,
46:52but I didn't know it was thunder inside what he's doing.
46:55But let me say this.
46:56The Rockets should be ashamed of themselves.
46:59Real talk.
47:00With all that athleticism, you're letting the 41-year-old LeBron James
47:05show you up on the night where you're supposed to be getting your lick back.
47:09And I want to give a lot of flowers to the Lakers, but the Rockets,
47:14they look like a team that doesn't like each other.
47:17They look like a team that has zero chemistry.
47:20When I look at this squad, I know when they leave the arena,
47:24the practice facility, they all go their separate ways.
47:27Nobody's going to dinner together.
47:29That's what I watch when I'm looking at this team.
47:31That's all fine.
47:33I appreciate all that.
47:34I want to look at this alley-oop again.
47:37This is one of the plays of the year.
47:38He's 41 years old.
47:40The ball is at least three feet behind him.
47:43You've got to be kidding me with that play.
47:45That's OBJ.
47:46Don't give me analysis.
47:48Give me awe.
47:50I mean, keep showing it.
47:54Oh, my God.
47:56All right, you guys go ahead.
47:58Coach?
47:59Well, on the other side, after all the LeBron flowers,
48:02which he fully deserves, Kevin Durant, two points.
48:05Yeah.
48:06He had two points in the fourth quarter.
48:07He's got two points and a half.
48:10And granted, they have four of the guys in double figures, but that's not good enough.
48:14And this is an example.
48:15We saw this the other night in the fourth quarter.
48:18KD's playing with the ball.
48:19Here comes a double team.
48:20Plays with the ball.
48:21They don't come out of the corner.
48:22They don't provide an outlet.
48:23Another turnover leads to a Luka three.
48:27And here's another crazy stat.
48:28Last game on Monday night, 16-4 fast break points.
48:32Tonight in the first half, 16-4 fast break points.
48:36Favor of the Lakers.
48:37Here's my thing.
48:39Missing shots should never detract from your ability to defend and to give effort and to get back.
48:44Right now, they look somewhat defeated to me.
48:47They're giving in.
48:48They're resigning to the fact that the Lakers have come into their house two games now and are bringing it.
48:54And they have not responded, Perk.
48:56Let me ask you a question, Coach.
48:58What's your message to this Houston Rockets team at this halftime?
49:01Have some pride.
49:02Play hard.
49:02Care.
49:03Like I said, if I miss a shot, I'm going to go and do something else to help my team.
49:0916 fast break points and a half.
49:10They're on pace for 32 points.
49:12That is not acceptable.
49:13This is the most important game of the season to this point.
49:16It doesn't look like it.
49:18LeBron is showing how important he knows how the game is.
49:20The Rockets are not.
49:21Yeah.
49:21Yeah, the Rockets are in some deep trouble.
49:24They got another half to go.
49:25But they're going to have to stop this man.
49:2741.
49:28Holy shepherd.
49:29Father time's got nothing on him, Perk.
49:31Get out of the way.
49:32Hot Tub Time Machine.
49:33Not installed in my second career.
49:35Hot Tub Time Machine.
49:40This halftime is presented by Hyundai.
49:43Visit Hyundai U.S.
49:44Tonight's epic moment brought to you by Hyundai.
49:46Wendy, it's so nice.
49:48We're going to see it thrice.
49:50LeBron with the alley-oop.
49:51May I just, as you enjoy this play, I might remind you he missed time with sciatica this year.
50:02This halftime is presented by Hyundai.
50:05Visit HyundaiUSA.com.
50:0955.
50:10The story of the first half.
50:12Tonight's update brought to you by Old Spice.
50:18Well, LeBron James turning back the clock and Kevin Durant hitting the snooze button as Durant had just two points
50:25in the fourth quarter the other night.
50:27Just two points in the first half.
50:30And LeBron James was magnificent.
50:32Hi again, everyone.
50:33With Richard and legs.
50:34Mike Green on hand.
50:35We'll check in at least in a moment.
50:36Let's start with the Durant scenario because you've rarely ever seen him.
50:40This type of performance from him on the offensive end.
50:42And I think there's a lot of blame to go around.
50:44I do think there are some spacing issues with this team, but it's more than that.
50:47I think Kevin Durant right now is accepting the way he's being defended too easily.
50:52And primarily because of where they're initiating their offense with him.
50:56Allowing the Lakers to have this trap right in front of them.
50:59Regardless, to see Kevin Durant this bottled up is so incredibly rare.
51:05And now we're going to see what solutions the Houston Rockets have come up with at halftime to get him
51:11going.
51:11Because they can't win this game unless that happens.
51:14No stats, by the way.
51:15Brought to you by Old Spice.
51:17And we're going to set the start for third quarter.
51:18Meanwhile, LeBron James.
51:20That was a brilliant first half.
51:22No, it was an outstanding first half by the entire Lakers.
51:24And LeBron James leading the way.
51:26It was getting out in the break.
51:28Knocking down quality shots.
51:29Even opportunities to find Aiton.
51:32Aiton was outstanding.
51:3312 points, two rebounds.
51:35The Lakers are 11-1 when Aiton goes 20-10.
51:39He's got the, he's on his way to the point.
51:41He just has to clean up the glass a little bit more.
51:44And again, what we're seeing during this stretch for the Lakers,
51:48their defense is as active and has some real tenacity to it.
51:55James now on Durant.
51:57These two brilliant scores.
51:59Going back out of bounds.
52:00As it still Rockets ball, we send it over to Lisa.
52:03Yeah, Mike, I just asked Emi Odoka, like, how do you get Kevin Durant going?
52:07And he said, look, look, if they want to take him out of the game,
52:09other guys just have to make them pay.
52:12Also, we know that he's not happy with the Lakers' transition points
52:16and their leak-out buckets especially.
52:18And he said that if we're not crashing the boards the way we're supposed to,
52:22they're going to get those leak-outs.
52:23We've just got to do a better job of doing what we normally do,
52:27which is crash the boards.
52:28All right, Lease, something wrong with the clock, so they blow the whistle.
52:31We're talking with Kevin Durant.
52:32He's one of the most lethal offensive weapons who's ever picked up a basketball.
52:38And it's such a quiet performance after what happened in the second half
52:41the other night.
52:42Well, a lot of these things have to be connectivity.
52:44How do, as your teammates, how do we help out our best players?
52:48There's kind of an old mantra.
52:50There's two guys on the basketball team that can do whatever they want.
52:54Everybody else's job is to make their job easier.
52:57So his teammates, how can we get you the ball?
52:59Where do you need us to be?
53:00So it's got to be a collective effort because if Kevin Durant looks this frustrated
53:05at the end of last game, if he's this frustrated in the first half,
53:08and they have the exact same opponent, the difference is they have Shingun tonight.
53:12So there should be an outlet.
53:14There should be a connector on the floor.
53:17Shingun had a solid first half himself.
53:19Durant trying to get going.
53:20Pulls up.
53:21Jump shot.
53:21Got it.
53:22Just his second field goal.
53:24And perhaps that will get him going for the Rockets.
53:29Again, with all the heroics from James and all the struggles from Durant,
53:32it's still just a ten-point game now.
53:36Now, Reeves, good defense from Eason, finds Marcus Smart.
53:41Smart can't hit.
53:43Thompson will have an excellent first half.
53:45Now with seven rebounds to go with 14 points.
53:48Shingun, good position down low.
53:52He thought he was fouled.
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