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Tigers look to even series against Reds on Saturday
Ime Udoka criticized the Rockets for their late-game collapse against the Lakers, losing 112-108 after leading by six points with 30 seconds left. The defeat puts the Rockets in a 3-0 series hole.
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Ime Udoka calls out Rockets after blowing Game 3 lead vs the Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Alperen Sengun scored 33 points and collected 16 rebounds on Friday evening in Houston. Amen Thompson contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Durant was sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Lakers additionally missed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the Rockets were ahead 101-95. Then it broke down entirely. Los Angeles exited Toyota Center with a 112-108 victory in overtime and a strong 3-0 series advantage.
"Horrendous mistakes," he said in his postgame news conference. "I don't know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case. You have a six-point lead with 20 or 30 seconds to go, get a rebound, and just have to hold the ball and get fouled... throw it away. To make it worse, a terrible foul on Marcus Smart to give him three free throws."
Ime Udoka described the Rockets' late-game mistakes as 'horrendous' and attributed the collapse to either youth or fear of the moment.
The Rockets were ahead 101-95 with 30 seconds remaining but failed to secure a rebound and committed a foul, allowing the Lakers to score and ultimately win in overtime.
The Lakers lead the series 3-0 after their overtime victory in Game 3.
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Jabari Smith Jr. attempted a risky lob with no pressure at all, and Marcus Smart stole it. Jae'Sean Tate subsequently fouled Smart during a three-point shot, and Smart made all three free throws, reducing the deficit to 101-98.
After the subsequent timeout, LeBron James swiped the ball from Reed Sheppard. James then made the equalizing three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to push the game into overtime.
Smart led the way, contributing eight of the Lakers' 11 points in overtime and ending the game with 21 points, 10 assists, and five steals.
Udoka added:
"It's obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish. The amount of mistakes, the type of mistakes, are egregious."
Throughout NBA history, no team has come back from a 3-0 disadvantage. Game 4 takes place Sunday evening in Houston.