Rockets wreck messy Lakers to avoid first-round playoff sweep
The Houston Rockets capitalized on Los Angeles Lakers mistakes, forcing 23 turnovers to avoid a sweep in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson scored 23 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in Houston. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA April 27 (UPI) -- Anticipation and grit triggered a torrent of turnovers from the Los Angeles Lakers, allowing the Houston Rockets to dominate Game 4 and avoid a first-round sweep in their Western Conference playoff series.
The Rockets scored 30 points off 23 turnovers in the 115-96 victory Sunday in Houston. Lakers forward LeBron James, who logged a game-high eight giveaways, called his gaffes "unacceptable. " "I think our aggressiveness was on display from the start," Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters.
The Lakers outshot the Rockets 50% to 48. 1% and held a 37-35 advantage in rebounds, but were undone by their frequent errors and lack of an outside shooting game. The game featured three lead changes, but those occurred within the first 11 minutes.
The Rockets, who missed five of their first six shots, took control with 1:42 remaining in the first quarter and didn't trail again. Rockets guard Amen Thompson totaled a game-high 23 points, with seven assists and four rebounds. Forward Tari Eason chipped in 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two assists.