FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Rockets - Game 70 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Rockets – Game 70 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (34-36) | Houston Rockets (17-52)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers could not build off of their last victory, as they were defeated by the Houston Rockets 114-110 without Anthony Davis

The  Lakers vs Rockets took place in Houston on Wednesday night. 

The Los Angeles Lakers were without Anthony Davis in their 114-110 loss against the Houston Rockets, as the Lakers’ current plan is for Davis never to play another back-to-back set of games, and they paid for it in this one.

“We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves,” Darvin Ham said. “We gotta go back and fill our cups up tomorrow and get ready to take advantage of a five-game homestay.”

With none of the Lakers’ starters eclipsing the 20-point mark, Austin Reaves had to step up off the bench, totaling 24 points (6-for-14 FGs, 1-for-7 3s, 11-for-13 FTs), four rebounds, and seven assists. Also off the bench, Dennis Schroder had 16 points (3-for-10 FGs, 0-for-2 3s, 10-for-12 FTs).

It was time for the Lakers vs Rockets. 

“It’s a back-to-back; there’s no excuse. Everybody has those in the league,” Reaves said. “We, as players, gotta do better.”

The start of the Lakers vs Rockets first half. 

As for the starters, D’Angelo Russell still managed 18 points (5-for-17 FGs, 3-for-11 3s. 5-for-6 FTs) and seven assists. Malik Beasley finished with 16 points (6-for-17 FGs, 4-for-12 3s) and three rebounds. Jarred Vanderbilt had 13 points (6-for-13 FGs, 0-for-2 3s), ten rebounds, five assists, and two steals. 

Ham said that the energy, effort, and urgency from the Lakers was “non-existent,” and they let the Rockets dictate the energy and physicality, “You put yourselves behind the 8-ball if you don’t come out the right way.”

“We should’ve been the ones playing with that type of edge,” Ham added.

Alperen Sengun returned from injury, and the last time Sengun played the Lakers, he had a monster game. He had a steady performance in this one, totaling 13 points (6-for-10 FGs), nine rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.

Kevin Porter Jr. was the star for the Rockets, finishing with 27 points (11-for-16 FGs, 2-for-5 3s, 3-for-4 FTs), nine rebounds, and six assists. Jabari Smith Jr. produced 18 points (6-for-17 FGs, 2-for-7 3s, 4-for-8 FTs) and six rebounds. Kenyon Martin Jr. contributed 16 points (7-for-11 FGs, 0-for-2 3s), eight rebounds, and three assists.

The end of the Lakers vs Rockets first half. 

This was the second straight victory for the Western Conference-worst Rockets, who defeated the Boston Celtics before this game.

The Lakers vs Rockets second half. 

Without Davis, the Lakers gave up 19 points on 8-of-12 Houston FGs in the first six minutes of the first quarter. Reaves did his part off the bench, going 3-for-3 from the field to get the Lakers within 12 at 38-26. The Lakers shot just 32.6 percent in the first half, including 4-of-19 from 3, while they allowed Houston to shoot 54 percent.

The Lakers cut the margin to eight with a better start to the second half, but then they gave up two more buckets at the rim, as they had a 56-24 points in the paint disadvantage.

Los Angeles was better defensively with Wenyen Gabriel alongside Vanderbilt in the third quarter, as the Lakers outscored the Rockets 24-17 to trim the 14-point halftime deficit in half. However, with the deficit back to 13 with 6:22 to play, it was now or never time for Los Angeles. 

The Rockets were up by eight with 7.2 seconds to go before Beasley hit a 3 for the Lakers to cut the lead to 114-109. Reaves then got a steal, and Porter fouled him with 0.3 seconds remaining. It was ruled a Flagrant-1 foul after a review. However, Reaves only made 1-of-2 free throws, and Houston held on.

Unfortunately, the Lakers, once again, failed to get to .500. They shot just 37.4 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3 while allowing Houston to score 78 points in the paint. Because of that, Los Angeles remains at No. 10 in the Western Conference. Up next, the Dallas Mavericks.

Lakers vs Rockets final score was 114-110, Houston.

The Lakers now take on the Dallas Mavericks Friday, March 17th, at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game is on Bally Sports Southwest, NBA TV, and Spectrum SportsNet.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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