Lakers avoid sweep but extend series lead to 3‑1; Timberwolves also up 3‑1
- Houston beat Los Angeles 115-96 in Game 4 on Sunday night, cutting the Lakers’ first-round cushion to 3-1 and sending the series back west. - Amen Thompson scored 23 points and Tari Eason added 20 as Houston outscored Los Angeles 34-18 in the third quarter to avoid elimination. - Minnesota also leads Denver 3-1 after a 112-96 Game 4 win despite injuries. (nba.com)
Houston kept its season alive Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 while still trailing the first-round series 3-1. (espn.com) (nba.com) Amen Thompson scored 23 points and Tari Eason added 20 for the Rockets, who pulled away with a 34-18 third quarter in Houston. (espn.com) The Lakers had taken the first three games, including a 112-108 overtime win in Game 3, before Houston answered to avoid a sweep. (nba.com) That leaves Game 5 as a closeout chance for Los Angeles instead of a completed series. NBA.com’s schedule for Monday, April 27, lists Minnesota-Denver as one of the next West games, with the Lakers-Rockets matchup shifting to the next window. (nba.com) (cbssports.com) Minnesota is in a similar position. The Timberwolves beat Denver 112-96 in Game 4 on Friday night to take a 3-1 series lead. (espn.com) (nba.com) Ayo Dosunmu scored 43 points for Minnesota in that win after Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo both left with leg injuries in the first half. (espn.com) (nba.com) ESPN reported Sunday that DiVincenzo has a torn Achilles tendon and Edwards is expected to miss multiple weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee. (espn.com) NBA.com’s playoff page shows the Timberwolves leading the Nuggets 3-1 and the Lakers leading the Rockets 3-1, putting both Western Conference series one win from ending. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) For Houston, Sunday changed the shape of the matchup from a sweep to a flight back to Los Angeles. For Minnesota, the series edge survived even as its backcourt took major hits. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2)
