Carrying the team alone! James scores 28+8+7, Durant has 23 points and 9 turnovers, Lakers crush Rockets to lead series 2-0

On April 22 Beijing time, in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Lakers faced the Rockets at home. For the Lakers, Doncic and Reaves remained absent, leaving James to lead the team alone. Although Durant scored 20 points in the first half, the Lakers performed well overall and maintained their lead throughout. In the second half, the Rockets briefly overtook them early on, but James' outstanding play helped the Lakers pull away again. In the final quarter, the Rockets kept chasing points, but the Lakers had multiple players scoring and held onto their advantage until the end. Durant performed poorly in the second half and committed a total of 9 turnovers in the game. Ultimately, the Lakers defeated the Rockets 101-94 at home, leading the series 2-0.

Statistics:

Rockets: Durant 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 9 turnovers; Smith 18 points, 6 rebounds; Sengun 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks; Amen 16 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists; Eason 10 points, 8 rebounds

Lakers: James 28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists; Kennard 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals; Smart 25 points, 7 assists, 5 steals; Hachimura 13 points

Game Process:

At the start of the first quarter, Smith hit a three-pointer, Durant made consecutive turnovers, James scored on a layup, and Smart also converted a 2+1, allowing the Lakers to tie the score. Durant then heated up, scoring four consecutive times and reaching double-digit points already in the first quarter, giving the Rockets a 4-point lead. However, the Lakers gradually narrowed the gap, and Kennard's three-pointer tied the game at 24, bringing both teams back to level. Eason scored on a put-back, and then it was the Lakers' time as they unleashed a 9-0 run to end the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led the Rockets 33-24 by 9 points.

In the second quarter, the Lakers' scoring surge continued, starting with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to double digits. The Rockets scored continuously to reduce the gap, but Smart hit consecutive three-pointers to widen the difference again. With a lead of up to 15 points, James went to rest, but unexpectedly the Rockets launched a 14-0 super run, shrinking the gap to just 1 point. James had to return to the court, Hachimura hit a three-pointer to stabilize the situation, and James made both free throws. In the final play of the half, Durant and Smith each made one of two free throws, and Durant's halftime points reached 20. At the end of the second quarter, the Lakers led the Rockets 54-51 by only 3 points.

In the third quarter, Smith scored 4 points consecutively, allowing the Rockets to overtake the lead. However, James assisted Kennard for a three-pointer, allowing the Lakers to regain the lead. Immediately afterward, James himself scored on a dunk and then assisted Ayton for another dunk, quickly extending the Lakers' lead to 8 points. After that, both teams struggled with their shooting, and the score increased slowly, with the Lakers maintaining a lead of about 7 points. In the latter part of the quarter, Amen and Sengun each missed a free throw, bringing the gap to 5 points. James also earned free throw opportunities, making both shots, and then both teams frequently missed shots. At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers led the Rockets 75-68 by 7 points.

In the final quarter, James faced double-teams but delivered a brilliant assist, Hayes converted a 2+1, and Amen immediately responded with a 2+1. After that, the Rockets kept chasing points, Okogie hit a three-pointer, and the Rockets trailed by only 3 points. However, James scored on an isolation play to stabilize the situation, and his outstanding performance led the home crowd to chant MVP. Entering the final 3 minutes, just as the Rockets were gaining momentum, Smart hit a crucial three-pointer. Fortunately, Eason immediately responded with a three-pointer. The Lakers entered the last minute with a 5-point advantage, James scored on an open layup almost sealing the game, and afterward the Rockets couldn't recover. At the end of the game, the Lakers defeated the Rockets 101-94, leading the series 2-0.

Starting Lineups:

Rockets: Durant, Smith, Sengun, Amen Thompson, Okogie

Lakers: James, Hachimura, Ayton, Smart, Kennard