Game Recap
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night, with Luka Doncic leading the charge with 20 points and nine assists. Gabe Vincent added 20 points, including six 3-pointers, to help the Lakers solidify their hold on fourth place in the Western Conference.
LeBron James finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Dorian Finney-Smith scored a season-high 20 points and hit six 3-pointers.
Team Performance
The Lakers’ two superstars, James and Doncic, looked weary at times, and much of LA’s offense consisted of them drawing defenders before kicking to Finney-Smith and Vincent for 3-point attempts. Neither team led by more than eight points all night, but Los Angeles nursed a small lead throughout the final 17 minutes of play. Amen Thompson scored 20 points and Dillon Brooks had 16 for the Rockets, who had won three straight.
Key Moments
After James hit two free throws with 11.1 seconds left to put the Lakers up 102-98, he soared across the key to block Alperen Sengun’s layup attempt. Brooks then missed a 3-point attempt to seal the Lakers’ 29th home victory. After Brooks missed one of two free throws with 20.1 seconds left to trim Los Angeles’ lead to 100-98, the Rockets nearly tied up Finney-Smith for a jump ball — but the Lakers called a timeout first.
Takeaways
Rockets
The Rockets remained defensively tenacious in the second game of a road back-to-back, but their offense was lacking. Leading scorer Jalen Green had only nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, and Sengun managed just 14.
Lakers
The Lakers sometimes looked exhausted in their 19th game in 35 days, but got the job done. Finney-Smith posted his Lakers highs in points and 3-pointers.
Key Stat
Finney-Smith’s performance was a key factor in the Lakers’ victory, posting his Lakers highs in points and 3-pointers.
Up Next
The Rockets host Utah on Wednesday. After their first back-to-back days off in three weeks, the Lakers host Golden State on Thursday.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ victory over the Rockets was a hard-fought win, with key contributions from Finney-Smith, Vincent, and James. The team’s ability to nurse a small lead throughout the final 17 minutes of play was crucial in securing the win. The Lakers will look to build on this momentum as they host Golden State on Thursday.
FAQs
Q: Who led the Lakers in scoring?
A: Luka Doncic and Gabe Vincent both scored 20 points.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The Lakers won 104-98.
Q: Who blocked Alperen Sengun’s layup attempt in the final seconds of the game?
A: LeBron James.
Q: What is the Lakers’ current standing in the Western Conference?
A: The Lakers are in fourth place.
