⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Lakers got 9 points ahead of the pace we expected in the first quarter, then it evened out by full time. A much tighter, lower scoring game than we expected.
Where it moved
▲ LAL better than we expected
▼ HOU better than we expected
The fourth quarter was where it moved most, 14 points worse than our numbers for the Lakers.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Lakers won, and why the Rockets did not.
From the game
They went cold, six of 28 from three- Looked after the ball, fourteen turnovers to their 27, and were outscored 32-14 off them
- Could not get to the line, thirteen free throws to their 29
- Lost the glass, 43 rebounds to 55
A 15-0 run cut a 28-point deficit to 13 in the fourth quarter
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Lakers
Good plays
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 6-point lead to 14
Q1 3:24 · LAL 24-10 HOU
- 10-0 run
A 10-0 run stretched a 11-point lead to 21
Q3 8:36 · LAL 65-44 HOU
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 16-point lead to 24
Q3 4:02 · LAL 73-49 HOU
Bad plays
Nothing costly of their own making.
Rockets
Good plays
- 15-0 run
A 15-0 run cut a 28-point deficit to 13
Q4 9:18 · LAL 84-71 HOU
Bad plays
- Technical
Kevin Porter Jr. technical foul (1st technical foul)
Q4 2:19 · LAL 92-77 HOU
📊The numbers
| LAL | HOU | |
|---|---|---|
| 41% | Shooting from the field | 42% |
| 9 | Threes made | 6 |
| 29% | Three-point accuracy | 21% |
| 8 | Free throws made | 15 |
| 43 | Rebounds | 55 |
| 10 | Offensive rebounds | 10 |
| 22 | Assists | 18 |
| 44 | Points in the paint | 48 |
| 20 | Fast break points | 14 |
| 14 | Points off turnovers | 32 |
| 14 | Turnovers | 27 |
| 15 | Steals | 8 |
| 9 | Blocks | 3 |
