LeBron James scored 29 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, as the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team without Kevin Durant to win 112-108 on Friday night.
With this win, they took a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first round series.
The Lakers can overcome a six-point deficit with less than 30 seconds left and sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD (Kevin Durant) they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Reddick said.
“And that was a big test for us, especially at that moment when we were in sixth place.”
Los Angeles started the overtime on a 6-2 run and took a 107-103 lead on Smart’s 3-pointer.
Smart hit two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard put Houston away with a 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds left in overtime, but Smart hit 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.
James, 41, played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said he had no choice but to do everything he could with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out due to injury.
“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “This is difficult for all of us and we are trying to figure it out together.”
For the Lakers, Smart added 21 points and 10 assists and Rui Hachimura added 22 points.
Despite Durant sitting out the second game of the series (this time due to a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury), the Rockets were in position to close out the game after back-to-back turnovers by James gave Houston a 101-95 lead.
Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter, and the problems continued Friday night.
“Finishing and finishing is definitely our weakness,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes and the types of mistakes are serious and cannot be tolerated.”
Durant was not on the bench Friday night, which Udoka said was because he was receiving treatment for an injured ankle.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers took an early 15-point lead but were down six before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt 25 seconds after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.
“It was a smart play and it’s part of my vet knowledge from being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I learned a few tricks from some guys, so that helped us a lot.”
James stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer went in for the fourth with 13 seconds to play, tying the game at 101.
Sengun missed a 7-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James’ 3-point attempt went off the rim and sent it to OT.
James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny in the first half to score, also recorded 13 rebounds.
