LeBron and Smart Pull Off a Comeback to Put Lakers 3-0 Up Against Rockets

L.A. overcomes six-point deficit in final 30 seconds to win 112-108 in overtime

Los Angeles Lakers stars Lebron James and Marcus Smart facilitate a come back against Houston Rocket in the last seconds of the game to give his side the victory. The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were finished, trailing the Houston Rockets by six points with only 30 seconds left on the clock. But in a move that shocked fans, the Lakers’ “old guard” pulled off a magic trick to win 112-108 in overtime.

The Lakers now lead the first-round playoff series 3-0, putting them just one win away from qualifying for the next round. This victory is even more impressive because the Lakers are playing without their two best scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have both been out with injuries for three weeks.

The comeback started when Marcus Smart stole the ball from Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. with about 27 seconds left. Smart quickly tried a three-pointer and was fouled, calmly making all three free throws to cut the lead to three.

Then it was LeBron’s turn. The 23-season veteran trapped Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, poked the ball away, and then ran to the corner to hit a massive catch-and-shoot three-pointer with just 13.6 seconds left. That shot tied the game and sent it into overtime.

In overtime, the Lakers outscored the Rockets 11-7. Marcus Smart, who finished with 21 points and 10 assists, scored eight of those points. Rui Hachimura also stepped up big time, scoring 22 points in total and grabbing a crucial rebound that led to a basket in the extra period.

Lakers coach JJ Redick praised his players’ hunger, noting that Hachimura and Smart made the biggest plays of the night. By winning this game, the Lakers became only the second team in 30 years to win a playoff match after trailing by six or more points in the final 30 seconds.

LeBron James, who played 45 minutes and finished with 29 points and 13 rebounds, admitted that playing without Doncic and Reaves has been a huge challenge. “We’re figuring it out together on the fly,” he said. “We don’t have the luxury of being passive. We have to do everything it takes.”

The Rockets might get Kevin Durant back from injury for Game 4 on Sunday, but Marcus Smart says the Lakers are ready to end the series quickly. “We got to be like a lion,” Smart said. “We just got to finish them off and keep our foot on their neck.”