Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets square off in the third game of their postseason series in the American Basketball League 2020-21.
Team Preview
After dropping the first game, the Lakers bounced back in the series by winning Game-02 117-109 to square the conference semifinal series with the Rockets. Lakers started on high with leading 16 points after the first quarter before 31-31 in the second quarter. Rockets accelerated in the 3rd quarter and led by 2 points after taking the set 23-41. The final quarter was clinically great for the Lakers as they took it 27-17 to level the series.
Anthony Davies paced the Lakers with scoring 34 points plus 10 rebounds and completed his double-double. LeBron James added for 28 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks to become the second player since 1973-74 to reach those thresholds in a Playoffs game. Rajon Rondo also finished with 10 points, nine assists, and five steals to outplay the Rockets by 28 points in his 29 minutes on the floor. On the other hand, James Harden led the Rockets with 27 points plus 7 assists while Westbrook completed his double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Gordon also chipped in 24 points.
Lakers were pretty ahead in field goals by shooting 56.6 percent from the floor, including 12 out of 27 from beyond the arc, while, Rockets shot 22 out of 53 from the 3-points range. Lakers dominated the offensive rebounds 35-41. Lakers are standing at third in scoring points with 114.3 per contest and come fifth in scoring defense as they allow 107.7 points per game. In field-goals, the Lakers are only behind to Clippers with 48.7 while Bucks stands fifth with shooting 47.2 % from the floor. Bucks come second in rebounding with 47.3 boards per night.
Possible Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James (PG/SF), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG/SF), Danny Green (SG/SF), Anthony Davis (PF/C), JaVale McGee (C)
Houston Rockets
Russell Westbrook (PG), James Harden (PG/SG), Eric Gordon (SG/SF), Robert Covington (SF/PF), P.J. Tucker C
Key Players
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James (PG/SF): 26.4 points, 10 rebounds, 9.6 assists
Anthony Davis (PF/C): 29.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Houston Rockets
James Harden (PG/SG): 30.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists
Eric Gordon (SG/SF): 19.3 points, 3 rebounds, 3.1 assists
