The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night, with crucial contributions from multiple players, including standout performances from Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent, each of whom connected on six three-pointers. The Lakers, currently vying for higher seeding in the Western Conference, managed to solidify their hold on fourth place with this key win over a Rockets team that had been surging in recent weeks.
First Quarter: A Slow Start for Both Teams
The opening quarter was an offensive struggle for both teams. Shots simply weren’t falling as both squads looked sluggish, perhaps due to the high volume of recent games. The Lakers and Rockets combined for a dismal 14-of-50 shooting from the field, with Los Angeles managing just 16 points in the first 12 minutes.
Despite this slow start, the Lakers’ defense remained engaged, forcing Houston into difficult shots. The Rockets, on the other hand, played physically and worked hard on the boards, but they, too, found it difficult to score consistently. The quarter ended with neither team establishing a clear advantage, setting the stage for a grinding contest.
Second Quarter: Luka Doncic Sparks a Comeback
With the Lakers trailing early in the second quarter, Luka Dončić took it upon himself to ignite the offense. He began orchestrating plays with precision, setting up teammates while also finding his own scoring rhythm. Midway through the quarter, Dončić executed a dazzling move that sent Rockets big man Alperen Şengün to the floor, drawing a chorus of cheers from the home crowd at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James also began asserting himself, attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Finney-Smith and Vincent started warming up from deep, knocking down key three-pointers to keep Los Angeles in the game. The Rockets, led by Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks, responded with aggressive drives and perimeter shooting, ensuring that the Lakers couldn’t pull away.
By halftime, the game was tied, reflecting how evenly matched both teams were. Though the Lakers had shown flashes of offensive brilliance, Houston’s tenacity on defense and ability to score in transition kept things level heading into the break.
Third Quarter: Lakers Take a Slim Lead..
Coming out of halftime, the Lakers showed a renewed focus on both ends of the floor. Dončić continued his stellar playmaking, while James worked inside to draw defensive attention. This strategy allowed Finney-Smith and Vincent to find open looks from beyond the arc, and they capitalized, each hitting multiple threes during the period.
On the defensive end, the Lakers tightened up, particularly on Jalen Green, Houston’s leading scorer. Green struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 4-of-13 from the field. Şengün, who had been a focal point of Houston’s offense, also faced difficulties, managing only 14 points as Los Angeles applied constant pressure inside.
Despite these defensive efforts, the Rockets refused to go away. Thompson and Brooks continued making timely plays, ensuring that Los Angeles couldn’t extend the lead beyond a few possessions. By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers held a modest lead but had yet to create real separation.
Fourth Quarter: A Gritty Finish..
As the game entered its final period, both teams looked visibly fatigued. The Lakers, playing their 19th game in just 35 days, showed signs of wear, while the Rockets, coming off a road back-to-back, struggled to maintain their offensive execution.
Neither team led by more than eight points at any stage, underscoring how tightly contested this battle remained. Los Angeles managed to hold onto a slim lead throughout the last 17 minutes, but Houston continued to press, cutting the deficit to just two points multiple times.
With just over 20 seconds remaining, Dillon Brooks had a chance to bring Houston within one point but missed one of two free throws, leaving the score at 100-98. On the ensuing possession, the Rockets nearly forced a jump ball when Finney-Smith was momentarily tied up, but the Lakers wisely called a timeout to maintain control.
After play resumed, LeBron James calmly sank two free throws to extend the Lakers’ lead to 102-98. The Rockets still had a chance, but James made a game-sealing defensive play, soaring across the key to swat away a layup attempt by Şengün. On Houston’s final possession, Brooks launched a desperate three-point attempt, but it clanked off the rim, allowing Los Angeles to secure the six-point victory.
Key Performances & Takeaways:
Luka Dončić: The superstar guard didn’t have an explosive scoring night but was instrumental in creating opportunities for teammates. He finished with 20 points and nine assists, controlling the pace of the game and drawing multiple defenders.
LeBron James: Though visibly fatigued at times, James delivered when it mattered most, posting 16 points and eight rebounds while making the game-defining defensive play with his block on Şengün.
Dorian Finney-Smith & Gabe Vincent: Both players provided a massive boost from deep, each hitting six three-pointers and scoring 20 points. Their sharpshooting proved to be the difference in a game where every basket mattered.
Amen Thompson & Dillon Brooks: Houston’s duo led the Rockets offensively, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Los Angeles’ defensive intensity. Thompson finished with 20 points, while Brooks added 16.
Jalen Green’s Struggles: The Rockets’ top scorer had a night to forget, managing only nine points on inefficient shooting. The Lakers’ defensive schemes effectively neutralized his impact.
Looking Ahead:
For the Lakers, this win reinforces their standing in the Western Conference playoff race. Their ability to grind out victories even when fatigued bodes well for their postseason aspirations. The chemistry between Dončić and James continues to develop, and the emergence of role players like Finney-Smith and Vincent as reliable shooters provides much-needed depth.
On the other hand, the Rockets must regroup after this tough loss. Despite being one of the hottest teams in the league recently, they struggled offensively in crucial moments. While their defense remained solid, their inability to close out games could be a concern moving forward.
Ultimately, this game served as a testament to the Lakers’ resilience and ability to execute in crunch time. With the postseason approaching, performances like this will be critical in determining how deep they can go in their championship pursuit.
