LeBron carries Lakers with 45 minutes, 21 points, 10 assists and 5 steals in Game 3

LeBron James played 45 minutes, scored 29 points and dragged the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3 on Friday. (nba.com) (espn.com) The win gave Los Angeles a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series despite Luka Doncic remaining out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Austin Reaves also missed Game 3 while recovering from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. (nba.com) (espn.com) James hit a tying 3-pointer with 13.6 seconds left in regulation after Houston turned the ball over out of a timeout. He finished with 13 rebounds and six assists, but also committed eight turnovers. (espn.com) (nba.com) Marcus Smart supplied the other decisive line for Los Angeles: 21 points, 10 assists, five steals and two blocks in 39 minutes. He scored eight of the Lakers’ 11 overtime points. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Luke Kennard played 45:22 and added 14 points, while Rui Hachimura scored 22 on 8-for-14 shooting. Los Angeles shot 41.4% from 3-point range and got 12 points from Jaxson Hayes off the bench. (nba.com) Houston had enough offense from Alperen Sengun, who posted 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, and Amen Thompson, who added 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points. (nba.com) The Rockets still lost because they coughed up 15 turnovers, including Reed Sheppard’s late giveaway that let James tie the game. Coach Ime Udoka called the sequence “horrendous mistakes” after the loss. (nba.com) (espn.com) Houston avoided the sweep two nights later, beating Los Angeles 115-96 in Game 4 on Sunday behind 23 points from Amen Thompson and 20 from Tari Eason. The Lakers still lead the series 3-1 and host Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29. (espn.com) (nba.com) (espn.com) Game 3 now stands as the swing game of the series: Los Angeles won on the road, in overtime, while missing Doncic and Reaves. James, at 41, was on the floor for nearly the entire night when the Lakers needed one more closing stretch. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)