Houston– Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason 20 more added Houston Rockets Avoided elimination with A 115-96 defeat of Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Rockets get their first win in the series despite the miss Kevin Durant For the third game thanks to a balanced scoring attack. After missing the first game with a right knee injury, Durant missed his second consecutive game with a left ankle sprain.
Houston’s entire starting lineup scored at least 16 points alperen sengun On adding 19, reed shepard 17 more Jabari Smith Jr.. 16.
The Lakers were led deandre aytonWho had 19 points and 10 rebounds before being fouled with about five and a half minutes left in the third quarter due to 2 serious fouls on Sengun’s head. His output wasn’t enough to allow the Lakers to close out the series in one night Lebron James His game was not the best.
After scoring 19, 28 and 29 points in the first three games, James had 10 points on 2 of 9 shooting with nine assists and eight turnovers with about 7½ minutes remaining. But he wasn’t the only Laker who struggled. Los Angeles made just five 3-pointers after combining for 35 in the first three games.
James’ score from long distance was 0-3, marcus smart Both his attempts missed and Luke Kennard Was 0-for-3.
Houston looked good from the start after squandering a six-point lead in the final 26 seconds of regulation in Friday night’s devastating 112-108 overtime loss.
The Rockets led by nine at halftime and used a 12-4 run to start the third and make it 68-51 with about 8½ minutes left in the quarter.
Shepard had two 3-pointers in that stretch, and Thompson added four points.
The Rockets led by 19 late in the quarter and then went on a 9-3 run to end the quarter and cut the lead to 90-65 entering the fourth.
Houston was leading by 23 with about seven and a half minutes remaining when coach JJ Redick emptied the Lakers’ bench.
Ayton was ejected in the third quarter for striking Sengun in the face with his elbow and forearm. The referee declared the foul, calling the contact “unnecessary and excessive”.
Durant was on the bench to support his team Sunday night after being absent Friday night because coach Ime Udoka said he was getting treatment for his injured ankle.
Game 5 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
