Lakers take 2-0 lead

Los Angeles took a 2-0 first-round lead Tuesday night, beating Houston 101-94 in Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena. (espn.com) LeBron James finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Luke Kennard added 23 points after scoring 27 in Game 1. (apnews.com) (espn.com) Marcus Smart swung the game at both ends. ESPN reported he scored 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting, hit 5 of 7 three-pointers, handed out seven assists and grabbed five steals. (espn.com) Houston got Kevin Durant back after he missed Game 1 with a right knee injury, and he scored 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting. But in the 18 possessions Smart defended him, Durant went 1-for-3 and committed three turnovers, according to ESPN Research. (espn.com) The Lakers are doing this without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, who have both been out since April 2. Coach JJ Redick said Reaves has started on-court one-on-one work while recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain, while Doncic has not yet begun his return-to-play progression from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. (espn.com) That has turned the series into a test of depth as much as star power. Through two games, Los Angeles has held Houston under 100 points twice and built its edge with defense, shooting and half-court control. (espn.com) (nba.com) Houston cut a 15-point deficit to five in the final three minutes, but Smart answered with his fifth three-pointer with 2:23 left to push the lead back to eight. The Rockets shot 40.4% from the field in the loss. (espn.com) The series now shifts to Toyota Center for Game 3 on Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m. Eastern. Los Angeles is two wins from the second round, and Houston now needs a home response to keep the matchup from tilting further. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)