HOUSTON – Lakers Advance Past Rockets
JJ Redick had mentioned earlier that the Lakers needed to “get past” the Rockets to move forward in the playoff series. On Friday night, they did just that, winning Game 6 decisively with a score of 98-78, effectively ending the Rockets’ season and setting up a second-round clash with the Thunder.
Interestingly, the Lakers didn’t have a particularly aggressive game.
The Rockets managed to score the lowest points in a game—both regular season and playoffs—since 2018, with the Lakers allowing their fewest points in a playoff game since May 16, 2012.
Offensively, the Lakers didn’t excel either, shooting only 40.4 percent from the field. However, they gained the upper hand through key stats: offensive rebounds (15 versus 8) and turnovers (14 to 11), which had been in favor of the Rockets for most of the series until this point.
LeBron James led the Lakers with a notable performance, scoring 28 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and making eight assists, finishing with a plus-minus of 26 in 37 minutes. Rui Hachimura contributed an efficient 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting and six rebounds, while Austin Reeves scored 15 points and made three blocks in only his second game after a torn oblique muscle. Deandre Ayton tallied seven points and controlled the boards with 16 rebounds. For the Rockets, Alperen Sengan scored 17 points and secured 11 rebounds but only managed one assist.
What It Means
With this win, the Lakers pushed past the Warriors in six games in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals, marking their first playoff series win in three years after previous first-round exits to the Nuggets and Timberwolves.
Turning Point
A significant moment occurred when the Lakers embarked on a 27-3 run between the middle of the first and second quarters, swinging a five-point deficit into a comfortable 19-point lead after James’ layup that came with just over eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Rockets struggled, failing to make a field goal from the 5:13 mark of the first quarter until 6:55 in the second, while the Lakers solidified their defensive presence throughout the game.
MVP: LeBron James
James set a strong early tone for the Lakers, eager to hold on to their series lead. He scored four points and passed for three assists in the first quarter before adding another 14 points in the second, surpassing the Rockets’ total for that quarter. The Rockets, after putting up 18 points in the first, could only manage 13 in the second.
Game Status
The Rockets finished with a field goal percentage of just 35% in Game 6, marking the lowest shooting percentage the Lakers have faced from an opponent in a playoff game since April 28, 2023.
To the Next
The Lakers are now gearing up to face the defending NBA champion Thunder in the upcoming second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
