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00:04Welcome to Southeast Texas and the city of Houston, hometown to the late George Foreman,
00:11Beyonce, Clyde Drexler, and of course, home of the Rockets, who tonight play the Lakers
00:16for the second time in three days.
00:18Lakers won Monday night here at the Toyota Center.
00:21And in that game, Luka Dodgers, 36 points.
00:25Lakers with a big fourth quarter to get an important victory.
00:28Kevin Durant having a magnificent season without a rough second half on Monday,
00:32and he is looking for some revenge tonight.
00:36Second game of our NBA doubleheader, NBA Wednesday, presented by State Farm.
00:42And as we wind down the regular season, look at the Western Conference standings,
00:46threes through six separated by just a game and a half.
00:51And of course, LeBron James with Dodgich and Reeves, the big three,
00:55DeAndre Ayton and Marcus Smart playing some great basketball.
00:58The Rockets, as Legs mentioned, last two games, Shang-Gun, their all-star, did not play,
01:03but he'll be back in the starting lineup for Imei Udoka and these Houston Rockets.
01:09All right, guys, how hard is it during the regular season?
01:11Or does it even matter when you play the same team in a back-to-back scenario?
01:16It is very, very difficult, but it's more fun.
01:19It's like a playoff-type atmosphere, especially when you get it this late in the season.
01:24Two teams that are locked in, trying to make playoff pushes, tiebreakers.
01:28There's just a different energy when you get this type of experience.
01:31Legs, they always say that it's difficult to beat a team two in a row during the regular season
01:36when you're playing back-to-back.
01:37Well, there's no doubt, I think, and the adjustments all fall on the part of the team that lost on
01:42Monday,
01:42and that's the Houston Rockets, particularly the way their offense operated down the stretch.
01:47So now you're going to see what Imei Udoka has come up with,
01:50other than having Shang-Gun out there, which is certainly going to help.
01:53Well, Monday night, the final score is 100-92.
01:58Part of it was some terrific defense from both teams,
02:01and part of it was just some rough shooting.
02:04Dacic to DeAndre Ayton.
02:07First shot of the night, LeBron James knocks down the three.
02:11But how about the play by DeAndre Ayton right there?
02:13They trap, they trap Luka, they throw it to him, he makes the right decision,
02:17hits the open three-point shooter.
02:19Thompson off the miss, has it tipped right back to him,
02:21and I'm in Thompson with the first bucket for the Rockets.
02:24He's been a lot of talk.
02:25Have you noticed better defense from Luka Doncic recently?
02:28Well, that was a good position defense right there.
02:31You stay down early as LeBron knocks down another three,
02:34his second triple of this first quarter.
02:36That's okay, it's the blow-bys, it's the not paying attention on defense.
02:41Those are the things that catch up to the Lakers.
02:43Eason takes it back after the block shot.
02:46Smith has it, shock block at six.
02:48Inside Thompson.
02:50And a momentary lapse defensively there from the Lakers.
02:53Cengun, they're leading rebounder, they're leading assist man.
02:56That's the second leading score after Durant.
02:59Nice push shot from Alprin Cengun.
03:04James the fake.
03:06Beautiful pass, open three.
03:09Aiden tips it in.
03:10The Andre 8 with a couple of buckets early.
03:12And the Lakers tough to beat.
03:14Gets another shot.
03:15At that time, James tips it.
03:18But Kogi knocked it away.
03:19Thompson comes to get it.
03:21Thompson inside.
03:22Eason throws it down.
03:23And that's where the three-point shot was such an added bonus to what he had been doing.
03:30I don't know.
03:30You see him defensively being more aggressive.
03:33Again, DeAndre 8.
03:35We're trying to make the right play too quickly.
03:36That leads to turnover.
03:38So he said tonight about staying patient, letting the offense develop, making the right reads.
03:43What do you call it?
03:44What do you call that?
03:45Like a salmon?
03:46Yes.
03:46A maw, if you will.
03:48Ball poked away by James.
03:51Stabbed on the other end.
03:52And throws it down.
03:53And you saw Kevin Redd imploring the corner shooters to come up.
03:57Make yourself available on the wings as Reed Shepard comes off a ball screen.
04:01Knocks down his first shot.
04:02He's been struggling with his three-point shots.
04:04That's a great sign for Houston.
04:06They did not have that in the fourth quarter Monday night.
04:08Donchich double.
04:10Fires away.
04:11James aggressively goes inside.
04:13Kicks it back out.
04:14Reeves.
04:14Donchich.
04:16Little head fake.
04:16Three-point is good.
04:18Great ball movement from the Lakers.
04:22Durant tied up.
04:24Give and go with Shingun.
04:26Nice fake.
04:27Little jumpers good.
04:28Kevin Durant gets on the board.
04:34Shingun gets inside.
04:37A tough throw down from Alperin Shingun.
04:42Thompson and Donchich.
04:43A fun matchup.
04:46Donchich gets inside.
04:47Pulls up.
04:48Shot short.
04:48Nope.
04:49Bounces up and in.
04:50And now you're going to go hunting.
04:52He came off with that dribble handoff.
04:53And he already had those hips turned ready to let it fly.
04:57Donchich.
04:57Bullet pass inside.
04:59Smart.
04:59Lefty pass to a lefty.
05:01And Kanawhi knocks down the three.
05:03Donchich rebound off the finish.
05:05Smith.
05:05Miss.
05:06Tries another.
05:07Catch another.
05:08Luka Dochich his second three.
05:09And he's in double figures here in this first quarter.
05:12Let them stay asleep.
05:14He do not want to wake a sleeping giant.
05:17Shot clock winding down.
05:18Thompson flips it up with a little English.
05:20Beautiful move from Thompson.
05:21He's got eight points here in the first.
05:24Here comes the double team.
05:25He saw that.
05:26Smart takes it away.
05:27Beautiful steal from Smart.
05:29Stumbles a bit.
05:30Gets it back.
05:31Dodchich wide open.
05:32Three-pointer.
05:33It's good.
05:34Marcus Smart.
05:34Another defensive play.
05:36Leads to a three.
05:37JJ Redick loves the way the team is playing.
05:40And then he feels he's, I'm confident we can stay there.
05:43It's been a slow build.
05:44James.
05:45Oh, LeBron James.
05:4741 years old.
05:48Throwing it down.
05:49And what a pass as well.
05:51The lead back up to nine.
05:53Don't you dare talk about that pass.
05:55That was all about the catch.
05:57Woo.
06:00Jaivari Smith pulls up.
06:01Shot is good.
06:03Lakers by nine.
06:06Thompson very aggressive offensively.
06:08Lays it up and in.
06:09He's got 12 points.
06:13Reeves hesitation.
06:15Battled around by Thompson.
06:16Hayes gets it back.
06:18Laravia.
06:18Nobody near him.
06:20And gets it a fall.
06:22Emei Udoka not happy at all right now.
06:24Pretty fair number of Laker fans as usual.
06:27Shepard.
06:27A contested three.
06:29In and out.
06:30Chinguun had it.
06:31Lost it.
06:32Still loose.
06:32Picked up Laravia.
06:33Here comes James.
06:34Runaway train.
06:37Just spectacular energy and athleticism.
06:42Good defense from Laravia.
06:44Chinguun.
06:45The good footwork and lays it up and in.
06:47If you feel that leverage behind, you just go immediately and attack.
06:50He got himself an easy one.
06:53Stolen by Shepard.
06:54His second steal.
06:55Thompson goes inside.
06:56He throws it down.
06:58And Reed Shepard is a guy that will get talked about sometimes as being picked on in one-on-one
07:02situations.
07:03But he does that very well.
07:05His anticipation in the passing lanes could be disrupted.
07:08James gets the roll.
07:10Lays it up and in.
07:11Didn't have to fly anywhere for this second road game against the Rockets.
07:16Chinguun kicks it out.
07:17Cornersmith.
07:18Nice little fake.
07:19Sidestep.
07:20Knocks down the three.
07:23Laravia.
07:24A little sidestep.
07:26Awkward off-balance.
07:27And the Rockets come the other way.
07:31Chinguun.
07:32Oh, that beautiful spin move lays it up and in.
07:35I mean, you didn't even have to see it.
07:36You could hear it.
07:37There was so much contact on his left arm when he came out of that spin.
07:41That absolutely should have been an and one.
07:43Ass inside.
07:44DeAndre Ayton.
07:45Nice adjustment in the air on the feet from Laravia.
07:48They've had a difficult time guarding the Lakers.
07:50It helps when you can get that free throw and set up your defense.
07:53Chinguun.
07:54Inside.
07:55Eason throws it down.
07:57Only down by six considering how great the Lakers are shooting.
08:01I think that's the silver lining because the Lakers have been exceptional offensively
08:05as DeAndre Ayton continues that with an easy finish right there.
08:10Despite Durant's slow start and the fact the Lakers are rolling,
08:13you still have this within eight points.
08:16Reed Shepard deflected by Kennard.
08:18Reeves throws it ahead.
08:19Dodgers is going to have an easy one.
08:21Luka Dodgers lays it up and in.
08:23Still four minutes left here.
08:25It's been a fun first half.
08:26Dodgers, good job from Smith trying to stay with him.
08:30Doesn't go for the fake.
08:31Kennard up top.
08:32Marcus Smart.
08:33Three-pointer.
08:33It's good.
08:35Nine for 15 from three-point range of the Lakers.
08:39Jabari Smith backs in against Smart.
08:41Strike the double.
08:45Smith jump shot.
08:46Got it.
08:48They're not really getting enough out of it.
08:50I'd love to see him start a possession somewhere else on the floor
08:54as DeAndre Ayton continues to play well here tonight.
08:58Trying to stay with Jabari Smith.
09:00Kogi lines up that three.
09:02That's good.
09:03He has shot well from three-point range this year.
09:11He made a great walk of the court.
09:16They feed Ayton again.
09:17He's been so aggressive.
09:19Puts it up.
09:19Shot it is no good.
09:20James right there.
09:21He is turning back the clock here in the first half.
09:28Durant.
09:29Smith.
09:29Quarter three.
09:30That's good.
09:31Much improved from three.
09:32Jabari Smith.
09:33That's his second three-pointer.
09:35Beautiful pass inside to Eason.
09:37Well, not loose.
09:38Smart.
09:38And here's going to be another layup.
09:40Although, Kogi going to try and stop it.
09:42And a foul.
09:43Not a smart play from Kogi.
09:44Dodgers takes a shot.
09:46And a chance for a three-point play.
09:48Lakers now up 11 again.
09:51Aiton down low.
09:53Lost it.
09:54Good double team.
09:55Thompson in the vicinity there to help.
09:58Durant tries again.
09:59Durant hits again.
10:01He's going to look at you.
10:02And there are going to be opportunities for cutters.
10:04Dodgers for three.
10:06That's his fourth three-pointer.
10:08He's got 21.
10:10Lakers 10 of 20 from three.
10:13Shingun goes right at eight and kicks it out in the corner.
10:16Spits it a couple.
10:16And hits another.
10:18His third three-pointer.
10:21Eason now 10.7 boards.
10:23Shingun sets, fires, and hits a three-pointer.
10:26Make that a two-foot inside the line.
10:29Well, Thompson didn't want to give him space.
10:30He had him wrapped up.
10:31Yeah.
10:31Thompson had him wrapped up pretty good.
10:34Oh, what a pass from Shingun.
10:36Durant throws it down.
10:37How about this?
10:38The Rockets take the lead.
10:39They're just swarming to the ball.
10:41Very similar to what the Lakers were doing in the first half.
10:44Shingun against Aiton.
10:45One-on-one.
10:46Backs in.
10:47The footwork.
10:48Knocks it down.
10:49Shingun now at 16.
10:52Lakers had him figured out in the first half, but not here in the third.
10:56Well, Kevin Durant has outscored the Lakers himself in this third.
11:00Five on a 24.
11:01Marcus Smart on the drive.
11:03Pulls off his jump shot.
11:04That's good.
11:06Eason putting some real pressure on Doncic.
11:11There's the help from Shingun.
11:13Doncic throws it up and Aiton with the flush.
11:17When he has big games, when he's active offensively,
11:20their record is superb.
11:24Durant gets inside.
11:26Count it out of foul.
11:28Kevin Durant has come alive.
11:30I could truly see him and LeBron finishing one and two
11:33at the end of their career and scoring.
11:35Reeves throws it up.
11:36LeBron James.
11:37Perfect connection and the foul.
11:40These two teams playing for the tiebreaker,
11:43which could be very, very important.
11:45Come playoff time.
11:47Shingun doubles.
11:48Back out.
11:49Shepard gets a clean look.
11:50It's good.
11:55Alphurton Shingun drives inside and a layup.
11:59Help defense late.
12:01And Shingun now with 18 points.
12:06La pass inside.
12:08Hayes broken up by Akogi.
12:09A lot of contact there.
12:10Shepard comes the other way.
12:11Inside to Smith.
12:13Pull up mid-range.
12:14It's good.
12:16Smith's got 16.
12:22Dojic looking.
12:23Finds some room.
12:24Three-pointer.
12:25Knocks it down.
12:26Luka Dojic's fifth three-pointer.
12:29Hayes now picks up on Durant.
12:32Feed inside.
12:33Right back out.
12:34Philly Smith hits a three.
12:38Lakers should go for one.
12:40There's about a two-second difference between shot clock and game clock.
12:43Go fouls to give.
12:44Nice move.
12:45Dojic's and nobody there to help her.
12:48There's Shingun going to by La Ravia right now.
12:50The spin.
12:51Lost it.
12:52He was hoping for a foul call.
12:54La Ravia down the other end.
12:55Shepard was in pursuit.
12:57La Ravia throws it down.
12:58Has to put it up quickly and does.
13:00Gets the rim.
13:01Canard.
13:01The rebound.
13:02They reset the shot clock to 14.
13:05Reeves finds his way inside.
13:07Oh, what a layup from Reeves.
13:09Amidst the defenders.
13:10And seven straight points to start the fourth.
13:12As another former player.
13:14And it was not.
13:14Oh, boy.
13:16Eason with the steal.
13:18Thompson ahead of the pack.
13:19I mean, Thompson lays it up and in.
13:21He's got 20.
13:27James gets inside.
13:28Left-handed layup off the glass.
13:30Trying to battle, but check.
13:32Oh, can't get it.
13:33Rebound James.
13:34Out to Reeves.
13:36Avoids Eason.
13:37Back to James.
13:38Inside.
13:39Lays it up and in.
13:41Really good effort for the Lakers on both ends.
13:44LeBron on a dead sprint on the last offensive possession.
13:47Aiton with the great defense.
13:48And he gets rewarded with another touch of the paint.
13:54Aiton.
13:54Shang-Goon inside.
13:55Jabari Smith has the height advantage.
13:57Could help defense from Aiton.
13:58But Smith still knocks down the shot.
14:01Shang-Goon hands off to Shepard.
14:03Aiton picks him up.
14:06Shepard goes at the big man.
14:08Inside.
14:08Lefty layup.
14:09Gorgeous move from Reed Shepard.
14:15Durant's got Aiton on him.
14:16Fires away at three.
14:17Got it!
14:18Kevin Durant nails the three-pointer of the Rockets.
14:21Back up by one.
14:22And Shepard goes in the corner.
14:24Jabari Smith barely touched it before releasing it.
14:27Shang-Goon, the offensive rebound, goes back up and banks it home.
14:31Smart was upset.
14:32He thought he got hit and pushed.
14:33Nine straight points now for the Rockets.
14:37Makers two turnovers in the last two possessions.
14:41James finds some room.
14:42Falling away.
14:43It's good.
14:44LeBron James now at 27.
14:47The Rockets have been inconsistent in the clutch games.
14:52Dacic goes at Finney Smith.
14:54Falling away is good.
14:56Luka Dacic now with 32.
14:58And the Lakers go back up by two.
15:00That corner defender was trying to get a piece of that contested.
15:04Luka was unfazed.
15:06A man Thompson goes back to Oren Durant with the feed.
15:10Thompson, a terrific all-around game.
15:12Smart corner three.
15:14Can't get it to fall.
15:15And a rebound.
15:16Thompson is 11th.
15:18Pushing the pace.
15:20Going coast to coast.
15:21Lefty layup is good.
15:22Sensational play from a man Thompson.
15:28Dacic one-on-one with Finney Smith.
15:31Kicks it out in the corner.
15:33Hachimura gets a good look.
15:34Comes up short.
15:35No, it goes in.
15:37Hits the front of the rim.
15:41Lakers have had a lot of close games recently.
15:43Dacic steps back three-pointer.
15:45Puts it in.
15:47Luka Dacic from way deep.
15:49And the Lakers go up four.
15:51He's got 35.
15:53Hachimura garnering Durant.
15:54Durant had a huge third quarter.
15:56Shingun catches.
15:57Gets inside.
15:58Layup blocked by Hachimura.
15:59Grieves to save, but writes to Smith.
16:02Inside pass.
16:02And Thompson banks it home.
16:05Thompson now guarding Dacic.
16:07He's had another brilliant night with 35.
16:10Behind the back.
16:11Lobs it up.
16:12Hachimura throws it down.
16:14Sensational play from Dacic.
16:19Dacic lobs it in.
16:20Eight and right back.
16:21Luka Dacic.
16:22Double-team spins away.
16:24Drives down.
16:25Throws it up.
16:25LeBron James with the power dunk.
16:28And a six-point lead.
16:30Smart throws it.
16:31James back to Dacic.
16:33On the drive.
16:35Pulls back.
16:36Three-pointer.
16:37Bang!
16:38Luka Dacic narrows the three.
16:41Timeout rockets.
16:44Another magnificent road performance for the Lakers who have turned their season around.
16:49Cengun knocks down the three.
16:52Now that makes it a six-point game with 22.9 remaining.
16:56And that'll do it.
16:58Seven consecutive wins for the Lakers.
17:01Ten and one in their last 11 games.
17:02Another clutch victory.
17:04And more brilliance from Luka Dacic.
17:08LeBron James turning back the clock.
17:11The 41-year-old third option had 30 tonight.
17:14LeBron, first I want to ask you about Luka.
17:1640 points from him.
17:18And he closed this one out.
17:19Just describe the impact that he continues to have in clutch time for you guys.
17:22He's been doing it all year for us.
17:24And he's been in a great rhythm over the last year.
17:28Since the season started.
17:29And we're just trying to pick him up.
17:30We're just trying to pick him up on the backside.
17:32Be ready when he's driving.
17:34Be catch-and-shoot ready.
17:35You know, try to slash behind the defense.
17:37But, you know, he calls him out with big shots.
17:39Big time, you know, step back three right there on that left wing.
17:42So, big time.
17:43How about you now?
17:4413 of 14 from the floor.
17:46Some crazy highlight dunks.
17:48Especially that first one that you had.
17:51Just, you look like vintage King James to us.
17:53Just how did tonight feel to you?
17:56I mean, I didn't feel that great, you know, today when I woke up.
17:59Or even when I got to the ring.
18:00I was pretty tired, obviously, from the last game or whatever the case may be.
18:03But, you know, once the competitive juices get going and we got flowing, you know, my guys pick me up.
18:08I try to pick them up and just try to make a few plays.
18:10Now, it was a hard fall you took.
18:12A hard foul.
18:13Just how's the elbow?
18:15I'm going to throw some ice on it as soon as I get to the locker room.
18:18That's why I kind of ran off.
18:19But, you know, I love you.
18:21You're awesome.
18:21So, I had to come back and do this interview for you.
18:24Yeah, he was trying to run off to get back to the locker room.
18:26We got a back-to-back.
18:27I'm 41.
18:27I need to prepare, but I'll take care of myself and hopefully be ready tomorrow night.
18:32And lastly, just again, in crunch time, you guys are ranked number one in the league.
18:37Just what does that say about this team?
18:40I mean, we have a lot of resilience.
18:42I mean, we knew that they were going to give us even more of a kill shot today after, you
18:45know, Monday's game.
18:47So, even when we went down, even in the fourth quarter, the second half, they made the run.
18:50We was up 12 at halftime.
18:51They made the run, took the lead.
18:53But we have guys that's been in big games before.
18:55You know, A.R. and Luka are two of our closers, and then we just all try to sprinkle in
19:01and do what we need to do defensively to try to close the game and help those guys out.
19:05Congrats on the win.
19:06Go get some ice.
19:07I appreciate you sticking around.
19:08Appreciate you.
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