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00:05They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it doesn't get much bigger than this two-game mini-series ahead.
00:11For the Lakers and the Rockets, bunched together in the Western Conference standings.
00:16The Lakers currently in third, only half a game ahead of the Rockets, battling for those final spots outside of
00:25the play-in and in the playoffs.
00:27And these are going to be critical as we head down the stretch of the regular season.
00:31We are so glad you could join us tonight for Peacock NBA Monday.
00:34We welcome you to Houston.
00:35No Eagle, the Czar, the Telestrator, Mike Fratello, Ashley Shammity.
00:39Coach, we look at this matchup.
00:41Two games ahead for these two teams, back-to-back against one another.
00:44The Rockets 3-3 in their last six, and they feel like a win tonight could really put them in
00:48the right direction.
00:49Rockets looking to get back to the chemistry they had, the intensity that they had, the togetherness.
00:55And let's keep in mind, this season, not four times they play each other these teams, just three.
01:01So at the end of these two games, somebody will hold the edge in case there needs to be a
01:05tiebreaker.
01:06Well, the Lakers have felt that already.
01:08With wins against Denver and Minnesota, most recently, J.J. Redick has treated each of those like playoff games,
01:13so they feel prepared for this.
01:15They're also playing some of their best basketball of the season.
01:17Well, when you're healthy, totally healthy, you can do that.
01:21And they've gone to a nine-man rotation now.
01:23The chemistry is terrific with them.
01:26They really like each other this time of the season.
01:29That's why they're playing so well.
01:30Connectivity has been the key word for the Lakers, and that continues with this starting unit.
01:35Doncic, Reeves, Smart, LeBron James, and DeAndre Ayton will be the first five out there for J.J. Redick.
01:42As for the Rockets, slight tweak with no Alper and Shen Goon missing his second straight game with a back
01:47injury.
01:48They're going to go Clint Capella as the man in the middle, along with Thompson, Eason, Durant, and Jabari Smith,
01:54Jr.,
01:55the 15th different starting lineup for the Rockets, the fourth fewest different starting units in the NBA this season.
02:01You see LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
02:03They have met so many times over the course of their illustrious careers together.
02:09And yet another one, the 45th head-to-head meeting between LeBron and Kevin Durant, regular season and postseason combined.
02:15They also will set the record tonight for most combined points from two players in a head-to-head with
02:21over 75,000 between the two of them.
02:25He ain't even fathomed.
02:27That's impossible.
02:28Yes.
02:29Our officials tonight, James Williams in year number 16 as an NBA official,
02:34Ray Acosta in year number 9, and Jason Goldenberg also in his ninth season in the association.
02:40Capella and Aiton, there has been a lot of chatter with those two names, and they will jump it up
02:47to get us started.
02:48Second of three meetings and a critical one in the Western Conference.
02:52It looked like they were ready.
02:53Ray Acosta put it up in the air, and they're going to have to re-jump this one up.
02:57I'm not sure he looked at both guys and decided, are these guys ready or not?
03:02He just wanted to toss.
03:03It was a nice toss, too.
03:04Put it right on the money, yeah.
03:06So we'll do it again, and this time Aiton Tipson eats and claims it away from Ray.
03:10We are underway.
03:1226 points per game at 37-plus years old.
03:17Shovel pass.
03:18It's Capella blocking the...
03:19An early statement from Capella attacking the interior.
03:22Speaking of, it's Doncic with a floater.
03:28Steel for the Lakers.
03:29Up ahead, it's Reeves.
03:30Leave it for LeBron.
03:33He got quite the ovation as he was introduced during the starting lineups,
03:37and he's got his first bucket to give the Lakers their first lead.
03:40You see both teams starting out very unselfishly giving up the basketball.
03:45Drive and kick, Jabbar and Smith.
03:47Emile Doka says he is an inflection point for this team, and so...
03:51And LeBron James was diving headfirst for loose balls.
03:54First time that J.J. Redick said he's ever seen that in the 23-year career of LeBron,
03:58as Smith goes for two for two in the mid-range.
04:01And the reason is...
04:02He's got a 7-foot-1 wingspan.
04:04He was so enticing out of Auburn because of the offensive skill set that went with those intangibles.
04:10On the drive, and dash Thompson.
04:12Young guys, and I can see him giving it up right here, making good plays.
04:16Doncic, this time he gets it to go.
04:20And KD, they're going to be talking all night.
04:22Two of the top trash talkers in the NBA going toe-to-toe.
04:27Thompson gets right underneath.
04:29Aiden trying to stay with him.
04:30Bounce for Durant.
04:31Right into the jumper for two.
04:33He is getting closer and closer to top five all-time on the NBA scoring list.
04:38On the back down, here's Doncic using that frame against Smith.
04:41Push it up and in.
04:42One of the top first quarter scores in NBA's recent memory.
04:46Here to Houston to see LeBron James and Kevin Durant squaring off for the 45th time in their careers.
04:52Aiden had it ripped.
04:53Eason got a hand on it.
04:54Doncic recovers.
04:55Finds the space.
04:56That's too easy.
04:57Aiden lost his rhythm.
05:00Good crash.
05:00But Thompson couldn't squeeze it.
05:02Up ahead.
05:03Behind the defense.
05:04It's James!
05:06LeBron added another poster to his all-time collection.
05:10All 13 Laker points coming from LeBron and Luka.
05:14Capella handed.
05:15Durant on the outside.
05:17Durant bodying up Reeves.
05:19That's just too good for Kevin Durant.
05:21Even Hadoka has been honest about that.
05:23Goes back to Jabari Smith Jr.
05:24But he said guys like Reed Shepard as Durant this time forces his way to his spot.
05:29And Taris and they all need to step up when their numbers called as well.
05:34Series of screens for Luka Doncic.
05:36That's way too much space.
05:38Money.
05:39Great deadline acquisition from Atlanta.
05:41Handed off for Doncic who has been cooking early.
05:44Now he's got to Kogi the physical defender on him.
05:47Doncic fade and finish.
05:50Luka domination in this opening quarter.
05:52Reed Shepard in the starting line.
05:54And if they feel his shooting is so good that he should be there.
05:57This is where he tries to continue to improve defensively.
06:01That was tricky from Austin Reeves.
06:03And Reeves can really score.
06:06This guy has steadily grown each season in the NBA to prove it.
06:1030 points a night to nothing.
06:12Neither is.
06:14Transition opportunity for Doncic.
06:17Still playing at his pace.
06:19Lava it inside.
06:20Achamora with position.
06:21And a slam!
06:23Durant, a series of moves.
06:25Hooks it outside for Okoge.
06:27Drive on Canard.
06:28Oh!
06:29Pass to Thompson!
06:31It's a win party in Houston.
06:34Allowing teams only 33% from the outside.
06:37Two minutes to play in this opening quarter.
06:39Finney Smith, the former Laker, against Doncic.
06:41His two-time teammate around it goes.
06:43And Marcus Smart gets the roll from three.
06:47Seven to shoot now for Shepard on the outside.
06:49Screen comes from Smith.
06:50Short roll.
06:51Smith, ball-away, goes.
06:53His job of catching it, stopping short of the full roll, and then elevating or knocking
06:59down the short jump shot.
07:00Nice pass by Shepard.
07:03Doncic up to 14 in this opening quarter.
07:06Again against his former teammate Finney Smith.
07:08He goes right to the rack and floats it home.
07:11Look, rebound.
07:12Bat it right into the hands of Thompson.
07:14Shepard, a lot of space.
07:15Can't hit.
07:16Long rebound.
07:17Third chance for Houston.
07:18It's Shepard on a relocate.
07:20He connects on three.
07:22Ten to shoot now for the Rockets.
07:26Shepard, cross, drive.
07:28Sheldon!
07:30Since when does it get up like that?
07:33He just could not rattle at home, but he's feeling himself early, rightfully so, after
07:38the finish of the first.
07:39Reeves!
07:39That was a quick beat to the bucket.
07:42Passing, rebounding.
07:43He's taken a ton of charges this year.
07:45Top five in the NBA in that category as Smith lines run up and knocks it down from the outside.
07:50Smith talking to himself a little bit.
07:52Elements to their story, and it's still happening today.
07:54Also says he remembers the very first time he faced LeBron.
07:58But it was a bad game in sleep when LeBron didn't even play in the fourth quarter.
08:02The Rockets put up three more points.
08:04First two came in the first seconds of the game.
08:06He's got eight so far.
08:20Fogershu, cross, Durant, is pure.
08:25Three meetings between these two, separated by just half a game in the Western Conference
08:30standings.
08:31Durant, no.
08:32Eason, no.
08:33Finney Smith, yes.
08:35That's why they're number one in offensive rebounds.
08:38Missed shot, you get a tip, you get another follow, and it goes down.
08:4217.8 second chance points per game for the Rockets this year.
08:46Add two more to that tally.
08:48Same for you.
08:49Seven for Capella.
08:50Six for Thompson.
08:51Durant, shake and bake.
08:53Long team.
08:54No.
08:55Smith rebound.
08:55That's about as high percentage as it gets.
08:58Donchich will drive on Durant.
09:01Stop.
09:02Fake.
09:02Donchich put it through.
09:04No whistle.
09:05Donchich wanted a chance for three.
09:07Instead, he'll just put his team up one.
09:09These two teams looking to do something similar here tonight.
09:15Durant drives.
09:17Durant finished.
09:19You know, it's amazing to me how you can be so wrapped up by a defender.
09:23Such a physical time that when you finally get away from it, you do make the shot.
09:28James Slick.
09:29Thompson.
09:32Shepard back on the floor.
09:34It's already shown off the three-point stroke and the 42-inch vertical.
09:37Oh, what a pass from Durant.
09:39And the patience for the finish.
09:41Jabari Smith, Jr. up to 13.
09:4410-second difference.
09:45Shot clock in game box.
09:46Durant on the drive.
09:48To finish.
09:50He's only six and left.
09:51We expected this back-and-forth battle this first half.
09:53How did you guys gain the edge, though, to close out this second quarter?
09:57Just grind and staying with it.
09:59Luka making a lot of tough shots.
10:01He making a pass out of the double team.
10:02People making shots.
10:03But you've got to stay with it.
10:04Stay with the game plan.
10:04It's going to work out.
10:05How do you make Luka's night more difficult to start this third quarter?
10:08Keep him out of the free-top line, one.
10:10And two, just keep buys in front of him.
10:11Take away the easy threes again.
10:13You've got to live with the tough tools.
10:15But just take away the easy.
10:16All right.
10:16Thanks so much.
10:17Good luck.
10:18He's going to drive on Reeves.
10:20Quick hands by Reeves.
10:21Recovered by Eason.
10:23Take it right.
10:24A man.
10:25Thompson.
10:25He can glide with a best of them.
10:27He's so athletic.
10:29Came out of that corner.
10:30Went to lay it up on one side.
10:32Instead, changed his mind.
10:33Put it up on the other.
10:35Smart.
10:36Happy.
10:36Ball for two.
10:38For Marcus Smart, of course, a long veteran in this league has provided the dirty work,
10:43the little things.
10:44And Thompson continues to build real estate above the cylinder.
10:49Durant right back to him.
10:51Smith against Dayton.
10:52Jab and drive.
10:53Six to shoot.
10:54Turn around.
10:55That's great.
10:57Smith really feeling good about himself at the offensive end of the floor right now.
11:02He's got that touch.
11:04Elevates up above the big man.
11:06First double-digit lead on either side.
11:08It was short-lived.
11:09Austin Reed.
11:10Four men's house.
11:11Third-year man who continues to make strides with the ball in his hands because he can do
11:16things like that.
11:17He has that extra gear to get to the open spot.
11:20He's so athletic.
11:22He has the ability now to handle the ball better because they put him in that point guard role.
11:26He could create shots by getting to a certain spot.
11:29And maybe he wouldn't take it early.
11:30LeBron.
11:31LeBron will slow it down.
11:32Wait for reinforcements.
11:36James step back three.
11:38Makes it rain.
11:40LeBron with a deep shot.
11:42He'll bring it the other way for Houston.
11:45So he'll look to use that right elbow to clear some space that time.
11:48Beautiful dime.
11:49Eson just finds that extra effort to make it home.
11:53Got himself in position to take the charge.
11:58Donjic step away for two.
12:01He's going to work on Smart.
12:03Shimmy shake.
12:04And Capella right through his hands.
12:06Numbers the other way with Donjic and James.
12:08Donjic got fouled and put it home.
12:10Shepard just didn't have enough muscle.
12:12And Donjic has a chance for three.
12:14If they win tonight, that would decide the tiebreaker between these two.
12:19He's going to step away.
12:21That's pretty tough.
12:23Very impressive.
12:25In place of Marcus Smart.
12:26Smith, Durant, Thompson, Shepard, and Akogi.
12:29He throws the bench as well.
12:30He'd feed.
12:31Better finish inside.
12:33For LeBron James.
12:34It's Reeves.
12:36Hachimura.
12:37Extra.
12:37Cunard on the attack.
12:39Shovel.
12:40Hachimura.
12:40Got it.
12:41We are tied at 72.
12:43Some offense to stop the bleeding.
12:46Wade Shepard did it at the end of the first.
12:48They do it at the end of the third.
12:50Right on.
12:50Donjic return.
12:52You're not going to have all 82 games or even stretches of the season where you're connected
12:56with the injury, the trade deadline, just so much movement that it's hard to be so connected
13:00like that.
13:00Series of dribbling moves.
13:02On the fake.
13:03Shepard on the drive.
13:04Floating open.
13:05Slap it home.
13:07That'll look.
13:08Thompson now up to 16, 10, and 5.
13:11Dodgers blitzed.
13:12They're taking away.
13:13Shepard a free run to the rim for another slam.
13:19I thought you were surprised by Shepard.
13:20Dunking into the game.
13:22Not anymore.
13:23No, no more.
13:24No, no.
13:24He does this routine on a regular basis.
13:2780 to 78.
13:28Dodgers looking to get away.
13:30Step back.
13:31Three.
13:31Oh!
13:32That's absurd from Luka Dunn.
13:34LeBron James gallops into the board along with Reeves.
13:38He throws it up for the king.
13:41The alley-o.
13:43Reeves so fresh to LeBron.
13:45Now four on smart.
13:47Four on LeBron James.
13:48And four on Hachimura.
13:49Cross.
13:50Paul Shepard-Piore.
13:54Durant will give it up.
13:56Finney Smith on the outside directing traffic.
13:58Right back to KD with seven to shoot.
14:00Bounce it.
14:01Finney Smith.
14:01Extra.
14:02Jabari Smith on the front.
14:04Perfect execution on what they want to do.
14:07Four fouls on the Lakers.
14:08No fouls on Houston right now.
14:11Finney Smith went right to the right.
14:12He missed it.
14:13Got back to the outside.
14:15Jabari Smith.
14:15Bounce it.
14:17A big three for Jabari to put the Rockets back in front.
14:22Two teams are playing with that type of attitude in this game.
14:26By five for 30 in this fourth quarter before Doncic gets another bucket.
14:32Working on Smith.
14:34Doncic puts it on the deck.
14:35Doncic outside.
14:37James Extra.
14:38Smart three.
14:39Bulls up.
14:40Marcus Smart again in the clutch.
14:44On the drive.
14:45Guarded by Durant.
14:47James nearly lost.
14:48He's got it back.
14:49Had it blocked.
14:50And Aiden's there for the recovery.
14:52And the slam.
14:53Bounce it wants all the players down there.
14:56Aiden has two more.
14:58Timeout Houston.
15:00It's the largest lead of the night for L.A.
15:03Down the stretch here.
15:04Easton just tries to get it in.
15:05And it's taken away by Leeds.
15:07The cookies.
15:08And a raw flush from the king.
15:11The word he used was coalesce.
15:13They are coalescing at the right time.
15:15They have found the rhythm playing their best basketball of the season.
15:20And the Lakers in a massive game with major implications in the Western Conference.
15:27Get their sixth straight win.
15:31192 the final.
15:32And they go up a game and a half for the third spot on Houston.
15:37All right, Luca.
15:38The largest lead of the night for you guys coming in the final minute.
15:41You had 36 points tonight.
15:43But what can you say about your teammates for coming in in the clutch in the final 60 seconds?
15:47No, it was great.
15:48I think we tried the ball great.
15:50Especially in the last quarter.
15:51You know, when we needed to get to business with it.
15:55They scored 92 points.
15:56Which for this team, for the Houston to help them at 92 is pretty awesome.
16:01So we did a great job defensively.
16:02For you though, you started the game with 16 points in the first quarter.
16:05Ended with 36.
16:06Like I said, how were you just so efficient every time you were on this court?
16:10Not bad.
16:11I think I could have done a lot better.
16:14But, you know, all that matters is we got to win.
16:16And we got to keep this wrong.
16:18The feel, the physicality, where you both are in the standings.
16:22Did this one feel like a playoff game?
16:24Yeah, I think the last couple have been feeling like a playoff game.
16:26You know, they play with a lot of physicality.
16:28We come from Denver, they play physical.
16:30So, you know, the last couple of games were very physical, very playoff-like.
16:34Luca, thank you so much.
16:35Congrats on the win.
16:37Noah.
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