The Lakers did not light it up. They did not need to.
They shut it down instead.
The Lakers smothered the Rockets 98-78 in Game 6, closing out the first-round series behind a defense that never really let Houston breathe.
“Kill” was the word coach JJ Redick used beforehand. It turned out to be accurate.
Houston shot just 35 percent from the field and finished with its lowest point total since 2018. That says it all.
LeBron James led the way with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, setting the tone early and then taking over during a decisive stretch in the second quarter.
That stretch changed everything.
The Lakers turned a five-point deficit into a double-digit lead with a 27-3 run spanning the first and second quarters. Houston went several minutes without a field goal during that stretch and never recovered.
Rui Hachimura added 21 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 15 in his return. Deandre Ayton controlled the glass with 16 rebounds.
Alperen Sengun led Houston with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but the offense stalled across the board.
The Lakers are moving on. Next up: The reigning champion Thunder.
It’s hard to say if LA will have the injured Luka Doncic back. Without him, well, they’re not being given much of a chance. But that’s why you play the games.
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