Rockets avoid sweep, stay alive

The Houston Rockets stayed alive Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 115-96 in Game 4 to avoid a first-round sweep. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Houston opened with an 18-point first quarter lead and turned the game into its cleanest performance of the series. The Rockets shot better, made fewer mistakes, and never let the Lakers get control. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason added 20, and Alperen Sengun remained Houston’s series leader after four games. Kevin Durant was ruled out before Game 4 as Houston entered the night facing elimination. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) (apnews.com) The result changed the shape of the series, but not the math. Los Angeles still leads 3-1 and can close it out in Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29, in Los Angeles. (nba.com) (nba.com) Houston had lost the first three games, including a 112-108 overtime defeat in Game 3 that put the Rockets on the brink. Sunday was the first time in the matchup that they finished the job. (nba.com) (nba.com) Around the bracket, Sunday also brought a Boston win over Philadelphia, a San Antonio win over Portland, and Toronto’s series-tying victory over Cleveland. Monday’s schedule includes Denver at Minnesota, with the Timberwolves leading that series 3-1. (nba.com) (nba.com) The Rockets got one more night and one more flight to Los Angeles. To extend the series again, they now need a second straight elimination-game win. (nba.com)