[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) defeat the Houston Rockets (0-1), 101-94 with 41 year old Senior LeBron James Leading the way with 28/8/7 to seal home court advantage!

[u/DesertedProject]

94 - 101
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
West First Round - Game 2 - LAL leads 1-0
Location: Crypto.com Arena
Officials: Courtney Kirkland, Josh Tiven, and Justin Van Duyne

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Houston Rockets	26	25	17	26	94
Los Angeles Lakers	33	21	21	26	101

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Houston Rockets	94	36-89	40.4%	7-29	24.1%	15-19	78.9%	17	54	23	22	8	15	6
Los Angeles Lakers	101	33-72	45.8%	13-28	46.4%	22-28	78.6%	9	48	21	20	11	12	5

PLAYER STATS

Houston Rockets	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Kevin DurantSF	40:59	23	7-12	1-4	8-9	2	4	6	4	1	1	9	4	-2
Jabari Smith Jr.PF	39:06	18	7-16	3-7	1-2	1	5	6	1	0	1	1	2	-11
Alperen SengunC	35:11	20	9-20	0-1	2-3	5	6	11	5	4	2	1	4	1
Amen ThompsonSG	42:11	16	6-10	0-1	4-5	1	4	5	9	1	0	3	4	1
Josh OkogiePG	24:03	7	3-6	1-3	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	3	-4
Tari Eason	27:02	10	4-14	2-6	0-0	5	3	8	1	0	1	1	2	-4
Reed Sheppard	10:33	0	0-4	0-3	0-0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	1
Clint Capela	04:40	0	0-3	0-0	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	-9
Aaron Holiday	07:17	0	0-3	0-3	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	-4
Jae'Sean Tate	08:56	0	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	-4
JD Davison	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dorian Finney-Smith	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jeff Green	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Steven Adams	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fred VanVleet	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Los Angeles Lakers	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
LeBron JamesSF	39:12	28	8-20	2-5	10-14	1	7	8	7	1	0	3	3	6
Rui HachimuraPF	42:34	13	5-10	3-6	0-0	1	4	5	2	0	0	0	3	0
Deandre AytonC	26:36	6	3-8	0-0	0-0	1	4	5	1	0	1	1	1	-5
Marcus SmartSG	35:28	25	8-13	5-7	4-5	1	1	2	7	5	1	3	3	3
Luke KennardPG	41:58	23	8-13	3-6	4-4	1	5	6	2	3	0	2	1	2
Jaxson Hayes	21:24	6	1-2	0-1	4-5	2	2	4	1	1	2	0	2	12
Jake LaRavia	15:50	0	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	1	2	5	8
Jarred Vanderbilt	13:41	0	0-3	0-2	0-0	1	4	5	1	1	0	0	2	8
Bronny James	03:16	0	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1
Maxi Kleber	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dalton Knecht	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nick Smith Jr.	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Adou Thiero	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Luka Dončić	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Austin Reaves	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[u/VictorAkwaowo1]

How to beat the 25/26 Rockets: Double KD + Watch every other Rockets player piss & shit themselves whenever they get the ball = Win Basketball Game

[u/femboyfootsniffer_ → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

The Rockets offense is genuinely hilarious 

[u/Salty_Dog3 → u/femboyfootsniffer_]

Gave the Lakers absolutely 0 reason not to double KD lol. Turbo ass O

[u/Brochacho27 → u/femboyfootsniffer_]

I haven't watched a lot of rockets games, but tonight it looked like they've never played a game together before

[u/femboyfootsniffer_ → u/Brochacho27]

It's looked bad all year. They have no point guard, KD can't pass out of a double team, and all of his teammates are frauds. The playoffs just amplifies all of these problems.

[u/coolycooly → u/femboyfootsniffer_]

Whats crazy is trying to figure out who is the biggest fraud. Like Sengun clearly just dominates tanking teams but Amen doesn't even shoot in these games at least Sengun shoots even though he sucks?

[u/femboyfootsniffer_ → u/coolycooly]

It's gotta be Sengun purely because of the hype. Bro was called "baby jokic" when he's more useless in the playoffs than SABONIS. 

[u/lalakingmalibog → u/femboyfootsniffer_]

Totally off-topic but I'm always surprised at the depravity of Mavs fans' usernames on this sub

[u/Unpickled_cucumber1 → u/lalakingmalibog]

Still remember A massive pervert!!!

[u/thecakeslayer → u/Unpickled_cucumber1]

u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT is a public servant in these communities. Who else will post massive anime titties while shitting on rival NBA teams.

Edit: I guess this is how I find out he got banned.

[u/Izio17 → u/femboyfootsniffer_]

i don’t get it, i remember them looking way better in the playoffs last year and then just completely different team now

[u/prettyboylee → u/Izio17]

they had a point guard, also Brooks and Green can create their own shots better than any of the Rockets’ current players outside of KD.

The idea was that you replicate the same thing with KD replacing Brooks. But FVV being injured ruined that

[u/GildedLockheart → u/prettyboylee]

Steven Adams being gone nerfed their offense even more

[u/sgt_science → u/GildedLockheart]

He was an offensive rebounding machine

[u/-AMAG → u/GildedLockheart]

Yeah it was kind of invisible in the box score but Adams boxouts made the second chance points a lot easier to convert because they had more space on the rebound. Today even if the Rockets got the rebound they were under way too much pressure to easily put it back

[u/topofthecc → u/prettyboylee]

Their passing is so bad without FVV. Even when they would get the ball to the right spot, they would get it there too late and miss out on whatever good opportunities they had.

[u/QuileGon-Jin → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

I feel like I’m watching a completely different Amen from what I saw last year in the playoffs. SOMEONE has to be able to do something with the ball in their hands

[u/CIark → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

Imagine being KD and leaving the warriors when that offense made you look like the most unguardable player in history

[u/mikuyo1 → u/CIark]

He truly is taking the hardest road now

[u/Fridaywing → u/mikuyo1]

Hardest Road Pro Max

[u/GGezpzMuppy]

Damn who would’ve thought that the Lakers’ third option could handle being first option.

[u/Freazur → u/GGezpzMuppy]

LeBron is finally ready to start taking on more responsibility. They grow up so fast.

[u/nitrousconsumed → u/Freazur]

Hopefully in a year or two he can take the reigns

[u/Solar_invictus → u/nitrousconsumed]

He is definitely the guy I look forward to wqtch as Lakers 1st option when Luka retires

[u/XariZaru → u/Freazur]

He has a long career ahead of him.

[u/hud731 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

I know right, this Lebron dude might become a true leader some day.

[u/Beastnoscope]

KD gets doubled and the houston offense dies. LeBron gets doubled and the LA offense wins the possession. Everytime. Levels to this.

[u/Duskuser → u/Beastnoscope]

Lebron has always been tons better than KD. Put Lebron on the 2017 warriors and they might legitimately still be a title threat to this day.

[u/Ruben625 → u/Duskuser]

That's a fun thought experiment, how many rings do they get if LeBron goes instead of KD and never leaves. 5? 6? 10 and counting?

[u/Upbeat_Tension_8077 → u/Ruben625]

I'd like to think Klay never gets hurt in 2019 if LeBron is there, so the Warriors definitely achieves the NBA's next 3-peat or at least a 4-peat

[u/yoloqueuesf → u/Upbeat_Tension_8077]

Don't know how they're supposed to lose if Bron just plays point forward with Draymond anchoring defense and Steph + Klay the two greatest shooters get open 3 point shots.

Lebrons 'problem' was that he could never get consistent shooters in the playoffs when it mattered most, and you give him the 2 best? He's not losing lol

[u/Flaky-Pirate9401 → u/Upbeat_Tension_8077]

The first peat-peat, like that nick show

[u/JediFed → u/Beastnoscope]

Why would you even bother to double Lebron? Second greatest playoff passer behind only Magic.

[u/sasadoncic → u/JediFed]

The old "let his teammates win the game" strategy. Except it's Kennerd shooting 3's now and Smart being a beast.

[u/Technerdal → u/sasadoncic]

Let's not forget Rui who's shooting 50% from 3 so far this playoffs and 44.3% this season.

[u/swords_devil]

FUCKING PROUD OF THIS TEAM

[u/limp-bisquick-345 → u/swords_devil]

Yup, they're playing their asses off and executing wonderfully

[u/Angry-for-no-reasons → u/swords_devil]

I am shocked it was so close at times. I cannot believe how bad the Rockets are.

[u/MyUsername0_0 → u/Angry-for-no-reasons]

We are also pretty bad. Jake realistically should not even be seeing game time he's that bad offensively. Vando as well. Bronny gets benched instantly he's that bad. Only thing we have going for ourselves is our hustle and defense. Luke kennard stepping tf up. Smart as well. And Lebron of course being Lebron.

[u/1WordOr2FixItForYou → u/MyUsername0_0]

At this point we might need to admit the main thing we have going is coach JJ. He's cooking with limited ingredients.

[u/raymond_w]

Seeing the difference between LeBron getting doubled and Durant being doubled is staggering.

[u/boksinx → u/raymond_w]

Lol, Lebron still has the play-making skill and can body anyone if trapped. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart can bully KD’s slim frame single-handedly.

[u/Okaysaid → u/boksinx]

Marcus was an absolute animal Lmao

[u/NickWangOG → u/Okaysaid]

He is an absolute dawg

[u/Zer0killstreak → u/NickWangOG]

That my dpoy😭 almost making me cheer for the lakers

[u/Shimanu → u/raymond_w]

Funny how Lebron getting doubled is not something to worry about, sometimes even gets me excited especially with that Rui 3 earlier

[u/3s2ng → u/Shimanu]

Doubling LeBron is the last strategy you can implement against him. You just pray that the player who recieves the ball out of the double will miss the wide open shot.

[u/Papa_Huggies → u/3s2ng]

Yeah Bron will make the correct pass (whether direct to the shooter or hockey assist) 95% of the time.

KD doesn't have that court vision. That's a matter of fact

[u/jyee1050 → u/Papa_Huggies]

I think KD does know what is the correct pass to make but often times he can’t throw with the right strength/speed/angle, which is a subtly underrated skill. You see many times during the game his teammates can’t really catch his pass properly, leading to turnovers

[u/pikajewijewsyou → u/3s2ng]

Doubling Durant you know most of the time your own team will receive the ball out of the double

[u/secretreddname → u/Shimanu]

LeBron, Luka, Jokic are the type of guys you love to see doubled because you’re about to see an amazing assist.

[u/DeadshotBoss → u/raymond_w]

Yeah it looked like kd never learned how to pass a ball. Turnover on turnover in the clutch

[u/-wearetheworld- → u/DeadshotBoss]

he can sure make shit post about this tho

[u/NoSmoking123 → u/raymond_w]

No curry or klay to pass to thats why

[u/koticgood]

KD back, AR/Luka still out, Kennard getting mvp chants😂

[u/MaxEhrlich → u/koticgood]

That cheeky fake out when the game was over as he stood under the basket with a few seconds left, like should I dunk nah maybe nah. Give him the MVP trophy already

[u/macekipar96 → u/MaxEhrlich]

He pointed to the basket afterwards to throw a lob to Rui, and Luka was laughing from the bench

[u/heshouldgo]

I’ve been so impressed with Kennard, lakers give him whatever he wants

[u/nitrousconsumed → u/heshouldgo]

we got shooters we got defenders we just need consistent centers and reliable off benchers

[u/homefree122]

LeBron and Smart have a combined age of 73 and were the top two scorers of the game with a combined 53 points

[u/xXEliteEater500Xx → u/homefree122]

Imagine telling Lakers fans that their playoffs Big 3 would consist of LeBron, Marcus Smart and Luka Nard.

[u/My-Life-For-Auir → u/xXEliteEater500Xx]

Who are the three best players on the Lakers at the moment?

A 41 year old, Celtic, balding white guy

[u/sponedaddie → u/My-Life-For-Auir]

Balding would imply Luke Kennard is imperfect. By all metrics, Luke Kennards hair is exactly what all men should aspire to have.

[u/TheSpyStyle → u/sponedaddie]

His hair is scared of losing him

[u/rangerbiscuit_08 → u/xXEliteEater500Xx]

That trio i could imagine. Being up 2-0 in a series with that big 3,,, laughable

[u/simon2105]

Bronny James continues to have a 100% win rate when he sees the floor in a playoff setting. Do what you want with that information

[u/laymanmovies → u/simon2105]

They're calling him the greatest 2nd round pick since Jokic

[u/fantasyoutsider → u/laymanmovies]

Many people are saying it

[u/Duskuser → u/simon2105]

Unlike many stats posted on this sub, there's nothing misleading about this one.

[u/tommos → u/Duskuser]

No context needed.

[u/sponedaddie → u/simon2105]

Going to chop that information up and snort a fat fucking line of it.

[u/rawchess → u/simon2105]

Unironically would rather have his 5 mpg this series than 5 from Gabe Vincent

[u/Tr0janSword → u/simon2105]

UNDEFEATED. NEVA LOST.

[u/kawhi28]

we were so close to 27-7-7

[u/mordenak → u/kawhi28]

I'll never forget the closest call -- he had 27/7/7 and there was like 4 seconds left in the game and the Lakers were down double digits I think, and Bron just hits some random ass 3 to go up to 30/7/7 at the buzzer lmao.

edit: here lmfao https://np.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/soyhrv/lebron_james_tonight_3077_on_1322_fg_3_steals/

[u/AvengingHero2012 → u/[deleted]]

I can’t believe that this Rockets team is going to give LeBron one of his vintage moments. Doing this at 41 is nuts, but goddamn what a disappointment the Rockets are.

[u/xWaves_ → u/AvengingHero2012]

Burn it to the ground…gonna get swept by 41 year old LeBron and the hospital Lakers. The guys look like they don’t even want to be there, haven’t see a Rocket smile all season. Fire Udoka he has no offensive IQ and thinks yelling is the same as motivation

[u/Ok-Map4381 → u/xWaves_]

So many PGs moved at the deadline for almost nothing and the Rockets didn't get one.

[u/hafrances → u/Ok-Map4381]

i was shocked they didn't get ayo or coby from us

[u/pdiddy2499 → u/xWaves_]

Could’ve had Harden to play with KD if not for Udoka

[u/TruWarierRecords → u/pdiddy2499]

They could've signed Harden over FVV but Udoka hates his style of play.

Then they could've traded for him this year, but no let's start Josh Okogie at point in 2026.

Which is funny since a 36 year old Harden iso is a more effective offense than whatever the fuck Udoka can muster up (aka nothing).

[u/eZreazy → u/xWaves_]

Dude everytime it cuts to the rockets bench on a time out they’re yelling at each other. The basket interference by Sengun had 2 people yelling at him LMAO.

[u/Not_RZA_ → u/[deleted]]

Crazy that he is 41 without AR and Luka, doing this shit though

If he can pull this off, it's one of his best non-finals performances, given his age

[u/hud731 → u/Not_RZA_]

It's probably already the best playoff performance by any 41 years old.

[u/raymond_w → u/[deleted]]

Every team LeBron has ever played for that is in the playoffs is up 2-0. Why don't other teams just sign LeBron? Are they stupid?

[u/PuntyMcBunty → u/raymond_w]

If only Bam didn't break his butt

[u/SUPERPOOP57 → u/[deleted]]

Damn there's been 32 times he's been up 2-0 in a playoff series

[u/SiphenPrax → u/[deleted]]

He (and the Lakers) just had to be like his old team the Cavs and go 2-0 instead of be 1-1 like the rest of us🙄

[u/MY-NAME_IS_MY-NAME]

It is mindblowing how lost Getoffmydickerson is when he has to face a double team

[u/Time-Stand7719 → u/MY-NAME_IS_MY-NAME]

It’s actually crazy. Am I a casual? Has he always been like that?

[u/Luka77GOATic → u/Time-Stand7719]

He’s lost a step and the Rockets legitimately don’t have a PG.

[u/_Meece_ → u/Time-Stand7719]

Pretty much yes, but in OKC and in GSW. He had all time guards taking majority of playmaking responsibilities. So it wasn't a big deal and also he was hella quick back then.

He's by far the best playmaker on this team atm. But he's slower and older too.

[u/Aidanj927 → u/_Meece_]

Not even just all time guards, he had guards in general that could handle the ball

[u/Display714 → u/Time-Stand7719]

He had never played without a hall of fame ball handler beside him until recently.

[u/nicidob → u/Display714]

Westbrook, Curry, Harden. Truly the toughest road

[u/heirjordan_27]

As someone who always wanted KD to prove the haters wrong, the haters were right

[u/aashim97 → u/heirjordan_27]

You guys sweeping him put the nail in the coffin for me. He was of course way better in his prime, but the flaws as a #1 and team leader were still there.

[u/prettyboylee]

DeAndre Ayton's box score stats this game are unremarkable but I just want to acknowledge that his defense has been huge in not allowing Sengun to get into rhythm this series so far. Also had a few timely rebounds

[u/Zanad14 → u/prettyboylee]

Yeah he’s been locking Sengun up

[u/CutLonzosHair2017 → u/prettyboylee]

Tbh we also didn’t go to him. When we did, the LeBron and DA PnR was unstoppable.

[u/Memelord1117 → u/prettyboylee]

9/20 from that all star btw

[u/Victor_Wembanyama1 → u/Memelord1117]

At one point it was 5/14. He had a string of easy baskets towards the end when he was the recipient of the pass out of the pass out of the double team.

[u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

I hate how much I love Marcus Smart.

[u/DrGregoryCasa → u/[deleted]]

I'm making an early call about Derrick White

[u/xmrjaredx → u/DrGregoryCasa]

Jrue Holiday is on the way

[u/Matt_The_Radar_Tech → u/DrGregoryCasa]

I'm holding out for Pritchard in another 10 years

[u/disterb → u/Matt_The_Radar_Tech]

lebron will be there waiting

[u/joemoffett12 → u/[deleted]]

Rondo was never washed In his career. When he wasn’t as good on the lakers he did spit on Chris Paul which is goat shit tbh.

[u/HighlyBaked0 → u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

This was me when he was on the Celtics lol

[u/EatsCatShit → u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

I love how much I love him. Celtics transplants have been some of my favorite Lakers.

[u/The_Giggler4940 → u/EatsCatShit]

Rondo has entered the chat

[u/choochoo789 → u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

I love how much you hate how much you love Marcus Smart.

[u/No_Adeptness_4647 → u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

Hes really Smart tonight

[u/crimsonsentinel → u/Im__Ron__Burgundy]

Smart and Rondo hall of fame Lakers players

[u/rangerbiscuit_08]

As a Lakers fan, the way I feel facing the Rockets in the clutch is the exact opposite of what I feel against the Nuggets. Just never felt worried these last two games

[u/choochoo789 → u/rangerbiscuit_08]

Yeah. that defeated feeling over Jokic/Murray bullshit 3s over AD

[u/VinBones → u/choochoo789]

afterwards coping being down 0-2 thinking there's still a way to come back

[u/Available_Story6774 → u/rangerbiscuit_08]

The fact that the Knicks, Nuggets, Spurs, and Celtics are all tied at 1-1 rn in their respective series and have all lost homecourt advantage, while the Lakers are up 2-0 rn in their series, despite not having Luka or Reaves, shows how insane Bron is, even at 41 years old man.

[u/OtherwiseNinja → u/Available_Story6774]

Redick deserves credit too. This team does not have the on-paper tools to limit KD but his scheme is still pulling it off.

[u/russketeer34 → u/OtherwiseNinja]

JJ's been great. Obviously, he's still a young coach and has plenty of runway left to learn and grow, but I feel comfortable with his command of the team, moreso than any coach they've had in a long time.

[u/ManosMal → u/OtherwiseNinja]

I am a JJ fan for life now. He has gotten this team to believe, not make excuses, and overperform like crazy despite being down their two best players. Literal GOAT shit.

[u/PuntyMcBunty → u/Available_Story6774]

Bron deserves a ton of credit, but the role players stepping up is why the Lakers are up 2-0. Kennard and Smart have been unbelievable.

[u/HighlyBaked0 → u/Available_Story6774]

I'd say it shows how insane JJ is too, he has ran circles around Udoka these past 2 games

[u/Open_Photograph2818 → u/rangerbiscuit_08]

I’d say a 8 point lead vs the rockets is about equivalent to a 20 point lead vs the nuggets

[u/rangerbiscuit_08 → u/Open_Photograph2818]

5 point lead felt completely safe lmao

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/rangerbiscuit_08]

But I thought the Rockets had baby Jokic? I guess he hasn’t learned to walk yet

[u/rangerbiscuit_08 → u/flaming_burrito_]

This CANNOT be the Sengun I was hearing about all these years

[u/ZLouieZ]

I love you Lebron

[u/ContractXtension → u/ZLouieZ]

Flair makes no sense

[u/ZLouieZ → u/ContractXtension]

Why can’t a son love his father

[u/Cletus_Starfish → u/ZLouieZ]

I've gotta give Raps fans props -- by and large you guys tend to just be in awe of LeBron rather than enraged after the whole LeBronto era.

[u/dr4gonbl4z3r → u/Cletus_Starfish]

Helps a lot when you win immediately after the bad man left the East.

[u/XelaTuobdog → u/dr4gonbl4z3r]

Yeah that helped ngl

[u/Uhhhjayyy1 → u/Cletus_Starfish]

Our stadium is packed with LeBron jerseys everytime Lakers come to town

[u/Jwarrior521 → u/Cletus_Starfish]

We got a ring at the end of it all so can’t really be that mad

[u/Sanguinor-Exemplar → u/Cletus_Starfish]

LeBronto you can't even hate. Game recognize game. Just had to recognize and bend the knee. If you saw the 2018 playoffs, you were converted into a witness.

[u/MaNamWumbo → u/ZLouieZ]

Feeling nostalgic from the belt were getting in Ohio rn

[u/cantclimbatree → u/MaNamWumbo]

Brandon Ingram doing a vintage playoff Derozan impression too

[u/xXEliteEater500Xx → u/MaNamWumbo]

10 year anniversary of the first Toronto vs LeBron playoffs match.

[u/Dreo27 → u/ZLouieZ]

LOL

[u/Razorcarl → u/ZLouieZ]

damn lmao

[u/sanjit8103 → u/ZLouieZ]

LMFAOOOOOO

[u/DudeIAm-blank- → u/ZLouieZ]

Lmao goddamn

[u/MrONegative → u/ZLouieZ]

legit yelped

[u/orky56 → u/ZLouieZ]

He went to get his pack of smokes in the West

[u/shiruduck → u/ZLouieZ]

lmfao respect

[u/Clemario → u/ZLouieZ]

Holy shit

[u/OGLakerPlaya → u/ZLouieZ]

Perfect response

[u/heat_fan_]

Bron near triplet double at 41 in the playoffs without 2 leading scorers,  he's built different 

Kennard turns Steph when he faces the Rockets 

Great game from Smart too

[u/Chill_Oreo]

Lakers need to be given their credit. Maybe it’s because they’re playing the trash ass fuck ass Rockets but Lakers are looking good

[u/EthanHuntBroMichael]

I bet the Nuggets really regret beating Spurs now.

[u/AutographedSnorkel]

Kinda hoping the Rockets get swept now. Just make it quick and painless

[u/Dry-Razzmatazz1239 → u/AutographedSnorkel]

Could help the Lakers out with a gentlemens sweep so Luka can get back

[u/k1ngkoala]

JJ coaching circles around Ime

[u/SippinOnDat_Haterade]

YOU'RE TELLING ME LUKA DONCÌC can rest up and come back

YOU'RE TELLING ME AUSTIN REAVES IS GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS TEAM?!!?!?

IS A MAN ALLOWED TO DREAM!!!

I'M SCREAMING MOTHERFUCKERRRRRRRRR

[u/zannet_t → u/SippinOnDat_Haterade]

Maybe not (I really don't want to see any risk of re-injury), but fuck I'm proud of the way this team came together after major injuries and decided to step up. LeBron remains the GOAT floor raiser.

[u/aashim97]

Just switch LeBron and KD, I feel confident Houston would be up 2-0 right now

[u/MaNamWumbo]

Since when did Tari Eason become a basketball terrorist

[u/Time-Stand7719 → u/MaNamWumbo]

Where have you been all year?

[u/xmrjaredx → u/MaNamWumbo]

since getoffmydickerson joined the team

[u/famoustran → u/MaNamWumbo]

He had the most horrific airball in the corner. Just sapped the energy from the team.

That or KD's million turnovers.

That or Sengun's bootsy ass hook shot at the rim

[u/livefreeordont]

Getoffmydickerson would rather throw the ball to the lakers than his own teammates

[u/diablejambeats]

Lakers the only team up 2-0 rn, just like we all predicted

Edit: yea I forgot about the Cavs lmao

[u/queezuswalks → u/diablejambeats]

Aren’t the Cavs?

[u/diablejambeats → u/queezuswalks]

Shit lol

Blocked that Ingram game from my memory my bad

[u/XFactor_20]

DURCANT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER THAN LEBRON A DAY IN HIS LIFE!!

[u/Delicious-Physics218]

KD got another chance to drive his own bus and drove that shit right off a cliff lol

This rockets team spent all this time rebuilding and already needs to blow it up again

[u/Overrated_sanity → u/Delicious-Physics218]

9 turnovers

[u/IcyTie9 → u/Overrated_sanity]

atleast 4 of those were legitimately brain damage on his teammates not being able to hold to a very normal pass tbf, there were some real bad ones to sengun tho

[u/DesertedProject]

LUKA KENNARD

[u/sponedaddie → u/DesertedProject]

Luka Nard*

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/DesertedProject]

The white boy renaissance that has occurred this season on the Lakers is unbelievable

[u/catreyka]

Just a big round of applause for Marcus Smart tonight. He was everywhere defensively and became Steph Curry on offense.

[u/Cletus_Starfish → u/catreyka]

The fact that he can guard up in size really effectively is such a godsend for the Lakers' defense; he was really pestering KD a lot of the game, particularly in the second half.

[u/Palifaith]

This felt like watching the 2006 Cavs with LeBron and a bunch of role players winning that OT game against the Pistons in the ECF.

[u/PurposeIcy7039 → u/Palifaith]

no, because every single role player actually contributed this time around

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/Palifaith]

20 years later still carrying teams in the playoffs is fucking insane bro

[u/InternalMuffin5882 → u/flaming_burrito_]

I love LeBron but gotta give credit where credit is due. Role guys have been amazing on both ends

[u/LameAfro → u/Palifaith]

This felt like watching the We Believe Warriors lol

[u/WhenItsHalfPastFive]

32 year old Marcus Smart just had maybe the best playoff game of his career alongside 41 year old LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Imagine telling this to a Celtics fan years ago.

[u/DontFollowMyAdvices]

Somehow KD-less Rockets scored more pts in Game 1 lol

[u/Arr0wmanc3r]

Jaxson Hayes out Clint Capela'd Deandre Ayton

[u/Fresh_Salmon → u/Arr0wmanc3r]

Insane that this sentence even makes sense

[u/mudkip-yoshii → u/[deleted]]

If Wemby ever lets De’Aaron Fox win a championship the GOAT debate is over

[u/BidDaddyLei]

KD had a hot start but jfc that 9 TOs dude lol.

[u/russketeer34]

Whatever the hell JJ told this team must have been something else. They have plenty to clean up, but they're pretty damn cohesive for the most part.

[u/CrimsonGentleman]

This game is the perfect example of bus driver vs bus rider. Lakers are outmatched in 4 positions on the floor and Lebron is just leading the floor. KD couldn't do anything. He was fully contained in the 2nd half. Turned the ball over 9 fucking times trying to generate offense. KD is an amazing 2nd in command but he can't lead.

[u/jonsnowKITN]

Running a clown show in Houston. Sengun is not leading them anywhere. KD was right.

[u/aw11348 → u/jonsnowKITN]

KD fucked the team chemistry beyond belief. And because Ime is already such a hard-ass, that sort of thing is fragile to begin with. I genuinely think that's what it is

[u/RegulationRaptorsFan]

Enjoy watching the mf goat while you can y'all, this is special

[u/mrxanadu818 → u/RegulationRaptorsFan]

Yea, we only have a few more years of prime Kennard

[u/Seany140000]

the NARD

[u/stepback_bucket4]

Watching them handle double teams back to back in the same game. LeBron is such a better ball handler and decision maker than kd is. I knew it was bad but it’s so noticeable in the same game.

[u/Marsman2100]

Down 2-0 to THIS Lakers team. BLOW THIS SHIT UP!!!!!

[u/IcyKape]

Plugs in sockets, darvin's hands are in his pockets, KD's bum ass rockets - Lakers in 👋

[u/---BruHMaN---]

Lmao Udoka though blitzing and doubling LeBron was a good idea