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LeBron James Powers Lakers to 2-0 Lead, 76ers Even Series With Celtics

Lakers Beat Rockets Behind LeBron James’ Big Night

LeBron James scored 28 points and added eight rebounds and seven assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 101-94 in Game 2 on Tuesday. The win gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

The Lakers played without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but still found enough offense. Marcus Smart scored 25 points and made five 3-pointers. Luke Kennard added 23 points and continued his hot playoff shooting.

Houston started well and built an early lead. Los Angeles answered with a 9-0 run late in the first quarter to take control. Strong perimeter shooting helped the Lakers extend the advantage.

Kevin Durant Returns, but Rockets Fall Short

Kevin Durant returned from injury and scored 23 points for Houston. He looked sharp in the first half but cooled off after the break. Durant scored only three points in the second half and committed nine turnovers.

Alperen Sengun posted 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 18 points, while Amen Thompson added 16 points and nine assists.

A turning point came in the third quarter. James sparked a 13-4 run with a reverse dunk over Durant. That burst pushed the Lakers ahead and shifted momentum.

Houston cut the deficit to three late in the fourth. However, James answered with a key dunk off a turnover. Kennard then sealed the win at the free-throw line.

The Rockets struggled from long distance, hitting only 7 of 29 attempts. Their offense also shot just 40 percent overall. Game 3 moves to Houston on Friday.

76ers Respond to Even Series Against Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers bounced back with a 111-97 win over the Boston Celtics to tie their Eastern Conference series at 1-1.

Rookie VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points. They also made 11 3-pointers and fueled Philadelphia’s improved offense.

Edgecombe finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Maxey added 29 points, including two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Support also came from Paul George, who scored 19 points. Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. added outside shooting. Andre Drummond chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Philadelphia’s Defense Slows Boston

Philadelphia made 19 of 39 shots from beyond the arc after struggling in Game 1. That shooting changed the series.

Defense also made a difference. The Sixers held Boston to 39.3 percent shooting from the field. They limited scoring outside of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Brown scored 36 points. Tatum added 19 points and 14 rebounds. Still, Boston’s supporting cast could not provide enough offense.

Game 3 shifts to Philadelphia on Friday. With both series now moving cities, pressure rises on the Rockets and Celtics to respond.

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