In the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers repeatedly sent extra bodies at Durant, and Houston’s offense unraveled: 12 points, 9 turnovers, 4-of-16 shooting in the final frame.
“I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight… It’s on me,” Durant said: 18 points, only two in the second half, plus seven of the Rockets’ 24 turnovers.
Durant said he has to “be smarter, better with the ball,” and even adapt by spacing, screening or “just get out of the way” in those moments, because the pace becomes “too slow” when the doubles come.
With Alperen Sengun out (lower back pain), the Lakers adjusted their timing, choosing to “fire” rather than blitz, as JJ Redick explained.
The Lakers improved to 43-25, widening their edge over the Rockets (41-16) in the West’s No. 3 seed race, winning despite 8-of-34 from three.
They leaned on Luka Doncic’s 36, held Houston to 35 points after halftime, and echoed the defensive theme: Redick said they can “beat good teams with defense,” while Doncic credited “effort and communication.”
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