LeBron powers Lakers 3‑0

LeBron James erased Houston’s late lead with a tying 3-pointer, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime Friday for a 3-0 series lead. (espn.com) James scored 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and logged more than 45 minutes in Game 3 at Toyota Center. Marcus Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura scored 22. (espn.com) (nba.com) The Lakers trailed 101-95 with under 30 seconds left in regulation before Smart made three free throws with 25.4 seconds remaining. James then stole the ball from Reed Sheppard and tied the game at 101-101 with 13.1 seconds left. (abc7.com) Los Angeles opened overtime on a 6-2 run, with Smart hitting a 3-pointer for a 107-103 lead. He later made three free throws in the extra period to help close it out. (espn.com) Houston played without Kevin Durant for the second time in the series, this time because of a sprained ankle after he missed Game 1 with a knee injury. Coach Ime Udoka said Durant was receiving treatment and was not on the bench Friday night. (espn.com) The Rockets still had chances to win. Alperen Sengun finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds, Amen Thompson had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Houston missed a potential go-ahead shot at the end of regulation. (abc7.com) Udoka said late-game execution has become a problem, calling Houston’s mistakes “egregious” after another fourth-quarter fade. The Rockets also lost Game 2 in Los Angeles, 101-94, and now trail 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. (espn.com) (nba.com) Game 4 is Sunday, April 26, in Houston, where the Lakers can finish the sweep. James said Los Angeles has been forced to “do a little bit more” with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out injured. (nba.com) (espn.com)