The Los Angeles Lakers closed out their first-round series Friday night with a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Going into this series, Houston stood out as the heavy favorite to advance to the second round. This was despite the Rockets missing key players such as Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. Nonetheless, Houston did have Kevin Durant, who averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 78 games.
However, there were also some surprising twists. Durant was unexpectedly sidelined with a knee contusion for Game 1. Despite returning for Game 2, Durant didn’t play for the rest of the series. Additionally, the Rockets found themselves down 3-0, but they clawed their way back in Games 4 and 5 — only for the Lakers to shut the door in Game 6.
3 Keys That Defined Lakers’ Game 6 Win vs Rockets
An Explosive Opening Gambit
Houston began the game with a three pointer from Tari Eason. Los Angeles soon responded with some LeBron James bully-ball, and both teams were off to the races.
The score remained neck and neck for most of the first quarter. This was until Luke Kennard hit a three to score his lone points of the contest. This was followed by a flurry of buckets that put the Lakers up 30-18 with 10:10 left in the second quarter.
James brought the ball up for Los Angeles for most of this game. This was an adjustment from the previous games, where either Marcus Smart or Kennard handled that responsibility. Smart had six turnovers in Game 5, with some of them being best described as confounding at best. James’ superior decision making helped generate much of the Lakers’ early offense, as Los Angeles widened the lead.
James alone had 14 points in the period, outscoring Houston’s 13 as a team. The Rockets’ lack of efficient shooting, combined with an early Lakers run, allowed Los Angeles to build a comfortable cushion that eventually led to a win.
A Botched Liftoff
In an elimination game where offense mattered the most for Houston, the team put up just 78 points. This was their lowest-scoring game this season, at its most crucial point.
The Rockets made just 28 of their 80 field goal attempts Friday, including 5-28 from three. The Lakers also dominated the Rockets on the offensive glass. Los Angeles pulled down 15 offensive rebounds compared to Houston’s eight.
Amen Thompson wanted the Rockets to push the pace after Game 1, and Houston did this well early in Game 6. For a good portion of the first quarter, the Rockets were effective attacking hard and kicking the ball out. This is how they managed to get six of their first 10 points. Thompson, leading the Rockets for the game in scoring with 18 points, excelled in creating this early offense.
However, despite their best attempts at speeding up the Lakers, Los Angeles started the game off at a brisk pace. Several of James’s passes came after careful consideration, effectively killing any chances of preventable turnovers.
This likely led to the Lakers having just 10 turnovers in the game. It may have also played a role in Houston mustering just eight fast break points.
Despite efficient nights from Thompson and Alperen Sengun, the rest of Houston’s starters struggled to make shots. Jabari Smith Jr shot 3-11 from the field and 1-6 from three. Reed Sheppard went 4-19 from the field and 1-10 from deep.
“I’m Kicking [Father Time’s] Ass”
“He can go to somebody else at this point. He already lost to me. It’s over with.” James said in a postgame interview with Prime Video.
And indeed, James’ Game 6 performance backs up his talk. At 41 years old, James led the Lakers in scoring this game, putting up 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. James did so on a team-high 37 minutes.
Yet he wasn’t alone in series-closing heroics. Rui Hachimura‘s performance also helped Los Angeles to overcome the hump, putting up 21 points, six rebounds and two assists. Additionally, Deandre Ayton found ways aside from points to impact the game, grabbing 16 rebounds.
The Last Word on the Lakers’ Game 6 Victory
Overall, this was a series full of ups and downs for the Lakers. From being the underdogs going into the series, to holding a 3-0 lead, Los Angeles has been through it all.
Ultimately, a throwback performance from James and a timely resurgence from Hachimura sealed the game for the Lakers. The team’s ability to go on runs, particularly as they get hot from three, was the difference maker.
The Lakers don’t have much time to meditate on this win, however. Their matchup in the second round will be against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
© Erik Williams-Imagn Images
