3 things to watch in Lakers-Rockets Game 6
NBA • • general
Key Points:
- Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. confidently declared the Rockets the better team in their first-round Western Conference series against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite the Lakers leading 3-2.
- The Rockets, missing star Kevin Durant due to injury, have relied on young players like Smith, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, and Amen Thompson to secure two impressive wins and keep hopes alive for a Game 7.
- The Lakers have struggled with their three-point shooting in recent games, hitting just 24.5% from beyond the arc in their last two losses, which has contributed to their scoring difficulties.
- LeBron James, with a strong history in closeout games (41-15 record), faces pressure to avoid a rare back-to-back closeout game loss as the Lakers aim to finish the series in Game 6.
- Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Houston, where the Rockets will try to force a historic Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the series, a feat no NBA team has accomplished before.
