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dave mcmenamin
multiple authors
Houston– Lebron James shouldered the blame for Los Angeles Lakers‘ 115-96 defeat In Game 4 of their Western Conference First Round series against the Houston Rockets On Sunday they had almost as many turnovers (eight) as they scored points (10) in the blowout.
“Obviously it started with me,” James said after the Rockets took a 3-1 lead to their first win of the series in Wednesday’s Game 5 in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET, ESPN). “My turnovers were unacceptable.”
LA trailed by nine points at halftime, but Houston outscored them 34–18 in the third quarter, as James committed four of his turnovers in the period and shot 0-for-3 from the field. For the game, he was 2-for-9 (22.2%) and did not reach double-digit points until a meaningless layup reduced the Rockets’ lead to 24 with 8:36 left in the fourth quarter.
By that time, the game was long out of reach, the Lakers had lost a player who was having a strong night, deandre aytonFor ejection in the middle of the third trimester.
Ayton was assessed grave foul 2 for attacking the Rockets’ big man alperen sengun With a forearm to the side of the head with 5:41 left in the third. The call was upgraded to a plain foul after video review, a decision that stunned members of both teams after the game.
“We’re both sweaty guys,” Ayton said. “[My arm] It just slipped off his shoulder. …I’m not a dirty player who plays like that.”
James said: “I know what I saw. … I think he was preparing for Sengun on the post, [his] elbow [was] “He was getting ready for physical contact and then you saw, his hand slid upwards and then he hit his head.”
Even Sengun, who was one of five Houston starters in double figures with 19 points and 13 rebounds, helped compensate for the absence. Kevin Durant Who He sat out due to a sprained left ankleDisagree.
“I don’t want to make the officials mad, but honestly, I didn’t expect them to fire him,” Sengun said. “I think it was a little soft. … I think it’s what they called it. I’m glad they called it. So, we go from there.”
Officials then called five more technical fouls: three on the Lakers (jackson hayes, maxi kleber, adou thier) and two on the rocket (Josh Okogie, aaron holiday). Thiero, a rookie, and Holiday both received one-take ejections with 1:11 remaining in the game for attacking each other.
“It was unnecessary and made no sense,” James said. “I think this is the first time he’s been ejected from a game in his life. I don’t think there was any need for it.”
Lakers star in the locker room after the game luka doncic Told Thiero that he will pay whatever fine the NBA imposes for the violation. After the final buzzer, trash talk continued between the two teams at Center Court. Multiple Lakers players tell ESPN the Rockets are ahead J’Sean Tate Was taunting his team, using profanity, and invited the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Kleber to fight him.
“Hilarious,” Lakers guard marcus smart When asked about the back and forth, he became nervous. “So hilarious.”
Smart, who had averaged 20.3 points on 52.9% shooting during the Lakers’ 3–0 start to the series, scored only nine points on 3-for-8 shooting in Game 4. Luke Kennardwho averaged 21.3 points on 55.3% shooting to start the series, scoring only seven points on 3-for-8 shooting.
“Defense wasn’t our problem tonight,” James said. “It was our crime.”
Austin ReevesJoe, who despite being listed as questionable for the second consecutive game and sat out again due to his Grade 2 left oblique strain, could certainly help organize the Lakers’ offense.
“The biggest challenge we have is just ballhandling and downhill drivers, not having those guys,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the absence of Reaves and Doncic.
As bad as the Lakers performed on Sunday, they are one win away from advancing to the second round and a potential showdown with the defending champions. oklahoma city thunderwho lead their series against phoenix sun 3-0.
“I’m trying my luck,” Ayton said about Game 5.
