Lakers Dominate in Series-Clinching Game 6 Win vs. Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers took the lead at the 4:34 mark in the first quarter and never looked back. To advance to the second round and take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 with a final score of 98-78.
There was some concern about the Lakers entering the game. After dropping the previous two games after beginning the series up 3-0, Houston took Games 4 and 5.
This didn’t seem to make the Lakers nervous, as they traveled back to Houston and concluded the Rockets’ season with a win.
Austin Reaves Re-Enters Starting Lineup
Austin Reaves returned to the Lakers’ starting lineup for the first time since suffering an oblique strain on April 2.
Reaves brought a reliable scoring option to the Lakers’ lineup, contributing 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 50% (7-for-14) from the field. He will continue to ramp up throughout the series, as Los Angeles still waits on the return of Luka Doncic.
Role Players Continue to Step Up For Lakers
In the absence of multiple star players for the Lakers throughout the first-round series, Los Angeles needed role players to step up. From Luke Kennard and DeAndre Ayton to Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, it was Hachimura and Ayton who were the main factors behind LeBron James in Game 6.
Hachimura finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in 34 minutes while shooting an impressive 53.3% (8-for-15) from the field and 71.4% (5-for-7) from three.
Although Deandre Ayton didn’t find the same scoring success as previous games, he was the Lakers’ lead-rebounder in the win. In 28 minutes, Ayton finished with 7 points and 16 rebounds.
Lakers’ Defense Continues to Excel
The Houston Rockets took two games in the first-round series, but the Lakers’ defense remained a major factor throughout the six games.
In Game 6, Los Angeles held Houston to a 35% shooting percentage (28-for-80) and 17.9% (5-for-28) from three. The turnover differential was close (the Lakers had 10 while the Rockets had 11), but Los Angeles held Houston to under 100 points in four out of six games in the first-round matchup.
Now, LA will continue to wait on the status of Luka Doncic, who has been out since April 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He’s still considered out indefinitely, and it appears that he will remain out for the second round.
The Los Angeles Lakers have advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs and will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 of the series will take place on Tuesday, May 5.
