Home / Sports / Lakers Suffocate Rockets 98-78 to Clinch Series
Lakers Suffocate Rockets 98-78 to Clinch Series
2 May
Summary
- Lakers secured a 98-78 victory to eliminate the Rockets.
- Rockets' scoring was their lowest since 2018.
- LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points.
The Los Angeles Lakers have advanced to the second round of the playoffs, defeating the Houston Rockets 98-78 in Game 6 of their first-round series. This decisive victory on Friday night at Toyota Center marked the Lakers' first playoff series win in three years.
The Rockets' offense was stifled, resulting in their lowest point total since 2018, and the fewest points the Lakers have allowed in a playoff game since May 16, 2012. Despite shooting just 40.4% from the field, the Lakers dominated offensive rebounding and controlled turnovers, key areas where they had trailed in previous games.
LeBron James spearheaded the Lakers' effort with 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, finishing with a team-best plus-26 plus/minus. Rui Hachimura added an efficient 21 points, and Austin Reaves contributed 15 points. The Lakers established a significant lead early, including a 27-3 run from the first to the second quarter, and maintained double-digit control for the remainder of the game.
The Lakers will now face the defending NBA champions, the Thunder, in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday in Oklahoma City. This marks a significant step for the Lakers, who aim to build on their first series triumph since the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals.
