Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets square off in the fourth game of their postseason series in the American Basketball League 2020-21.
Team Preview
Lakers bounced back in the postseason series after dropping the first game 97-112 and they added two straight wins in Game-02 and Game-03 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. In the previous game, the first two quarters were competitive and the Rockets led by 1 point at half-game. Going into the final quarter, the Lakers led by 2 points, and the final quarter decided the final outcome. Lakers took the lead in the starting minutes to finish the quarter with 10 points advantage and took the game 102-112.
Anthony Davies paced the Lakers with scoring 26 points plus 15 rebounds and completed his yet another double-double. LeBron James scored the highest 36 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 5 assists. LeBron James becomes the first player from the Lakers to score at least 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks in a playoff game since Shaquille O'Neal in May 2000. The veteran Rajon Rondo also chipped in 21 points plus 9 assists coming off the bench. On the other hand, James Harden led the Rockets with 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists while Westbrook scored 30 points and 8 rebounds. Jeff Green also chipped in 16 points.
Lakers shot 55.1 percent from the floor, including 10 out of 30 from beyond the arc, while, Rockets shot 46.9%, including 12 out of 30 from the 3-points range. Lakers dominated the offensive rebounds 43-30. Lakers are only behind the Clippers in field goals with shooting 49.4% from the floor while they’re standing at third in scoring points with 114.3 per contest and come fifth in scoring defense as they allow 107 points per game. Rockets stand fourth in scoring defense as they allow an average of 105.4 points per contest. In offensive rebounds, the Lakers are placed at 5th with 45.9 while the Rockets are the worst side as they are only ahead to Pacers in the postseason, standing at 15th in the league.
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): 27.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9 assists
Anthony Davis (PF/C): 29.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 assists
Houston Rockets
James Harden (PG/SG): 30.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists
Eric Gordon (SG/SF): 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists
