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College softball: Week 11 Top 25 and how to watch
Check out the Week 11 Top 25 college softball rankings and how to watch!
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Lakers vs. Rockets â Game 2 NBA Playoffs â predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 21
TL;DR
The Lakers aim for a 2-0 series lead against the Rockets in Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs. LeBron James excelled in Game 1, leading the Lakers to a 107-98 victory despite injuries to key players on both teams.
Key points
- Lakers lead series 1-0 against Rockets
- LeBron James led Lakers with 19 points in Game 1
- Kevin Durant's status for Game 2 is uncertain
- Lakers have won 32 straight series after winning Game 1
- Lakers shot 60.6% from the field in Game 1
LeBron JamesKevin DurantLuka DoncicAustin Reaves
LeBron James and the Lakers look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their Best-of-Seven series against Kevin Durant and the Rockets tonight at crypto.com Arena in Southern California.
The question for the Rockets is âwill Durant playâ? The all-time great did not dress for the series opener due to a knee injury. Without him, the Rockets looked out of sorts and that is putting it kindly. Without their two leading scorers, Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), the Lakers rolled in Game 1 to a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets.
Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James took over as the Lakersâ No. 1 option with both Doncic and Reaves out. James rose to the occasion, posting 19 points, a game-high 13 assists and 8 rebounds. The Lakers also got a major contribution from Luke Kennard, who finished with a season-high 27 points (9-for-13 shooting, including 5- for-5 from three).
The Lakers succeeded in slowing down the pace of the game in Game 1, scoring just four fast break points in the win. Those four points tied for the second-fewest fast break points the Lakers recorded in a game this season. As a result of the slower pace, LA had fewer possessions but they made the most of them. The Lakers took only 66 field goal attempts but shot 60.6% from the field (40-for-66). As a reference point, the Lakers only shot 60% or better from the field 3 times during the regular season.
The stakes are of course high tonight, but specific to Game 2, know this stat: The Lakers have won 32 straight series after winning the first game of a playoff series, which is the longest streak in NBA history. The last time LA lost a series after going up 1-0 was in their 1993 First Round series against Phoenix (the Lakers were up 2-0 and lost in five games, 3-2).
Lets take a closer look at tonightâs matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
Weâve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of
Q&A
Will Kevin Durant play in Game 2 against the Lakers?
Kevin Durant's participation in Game 2 is uncertain due to a knee injury that kept him out of Game 1.
What was the score of Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets?
The Lakers won Game 1 against the Rockets with a score of 107-98.
How did LeBron James perform in Game 1 of the playoffs?
LeBron James scored 19 points, recorded 13 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds in Game 1.
What is the Lakers' playoff series record after winning Game 1?
The Lakers have won 32 consecutive playoff series after winning Game 1, the longest streak in NBA history.
