LeBron posts 21-10-5 at 41

LeBron James’ big night was not a 21-10-5 line. It was a 29-point, 13-rebound, six-assist performance in 45 minutes as the Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3 on April 24. (espn.com) (nba.com) The game turned in the final seconds of regulation, when James hit a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left after the Lakers erased a six-point deficit in the last 30 seconds. Marcus Smart then scored eight points in overtime. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) Smart, not James, was the Laker who posted 21 points, 10 assists and five steals in Game 3. NBA.com’s live recap listed James at 29-13-6 with three steals and one block. (nba.com) (espn.com) That matters because the viral stat line in circulation mixed together two different Lakers. James delivered the headline moment at age 41, but Smart supplied much of the two-way playmaking that helped Los Angeles take command of the series. (nba.com) (espn.com) The backdrop was Houston’s injury situation. Kevin Durant missed Game 3, and the Associated Press said the Lakers took advantage of a Rockets team playing without him in the 112-108 loss. (espn.com) Two days later, the series shifted again. Houston won Game 4, 115-96, behind 23 points from Amen Thompson and 20 from Tari Eason, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 3-1. (espn.com) (nba.com) So the cleanest explainer is this: James authored the defining Game 3 shot and logged 45 minutes at 41, but the 21-10-5 stat line belonged to Smart. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, in Los Angeles. (espn.com) (nba.com)