Lakers up 3–0

LeBron James dragged the Lakers back from the edge Friday night, and Los Angeles left Houston with a 112-108 overtime win and a 3-0 series lead. (nba.com) (espn.com) James scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 45-plus minutes, tying the game with a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation. Marcus Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, including eight points in overtime. (nba.com) (espn.com) Rui Hachimura scored 22 points for Los Angeles, which was without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves because of injuries, according to James after the game. Houston got 33 points and 16 rebounds from Alperen Sengun and 26 points with 11 rebounds from Amen Thompson. (espn.com) (nba.com) The swing came fast. Houston led 101-95 after consecutive James turnovers, then committed a turnover, fouled Smart on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds left, and watched James tie it after another late steal. (espn.com) (nba.com) That put the Rockets in an 0-3 hole in a Western Conference first-round series that now returns Sunday, April 26, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern in Houston. The Lakers can finish the sweep there. (nba.com) Houston was already playing without Kevin Durant, who missed a second game in the series with a sprained ankle after also sitting out Game 1 with a knee injury. Coach Ime Udoka said Durant was getting treatment during Game 3. (espn.com) Udoka said Houston’s late-game execution has been a recurring problem. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious,” he said after the loss. (espn.com) Lakers coach JJ Redick called the comeback “a huge test” after Los Angeles trailed by six with under 30 seconds left. James said the absences around him meant “everyone has to do a little bit more.” (nba.com) (espn.com) Now the series is down to one question for Houston: extend it Sunday, or watch James and the Lakers close it out on the Rockets’ home floor. (nba.com)