Lakers dominate Rockets in Game 6 victory, advancing in playoffs
HOUSTON — JJ Redick said the Lakers would need to “kill” the Rockets to close out their first round playoff series . And on Friday night at Toyota Center, the Lakers accomplished their goal, suffocating the Rockets’ offense to a permanent end of their season en route to a 98-78 victory in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series, advancing to a second round matchup against the Thunder. The Lakers didn’t have it going offensively , either.
JJ Redick said the Lakers would need to “kill” the Rockets to close out their first round playoff series. NBAE via Getty Images The Lakers didn’t have it going offensively, either. AP The Rockets’ scoring total was not only the fewest amount of points they’ve scored in a game since 2018 (regular season and playoffs), but it was the fewest amount of points the Lakers allowed in a playoff game since May 16, 2012.
The Lakers didn’t have it going offensively either, shooting just 40. 4% from the field. But they won the margins in two significant ways: Offensive rebounding (15-8) and turnovers (14-11), both of which were advantages for the Rockets throughout the first five games of the series.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes, finishing with a team-best individual plus/minus of plus-26. Rui Hachimura added an efficient 21 points (8-of-15 shooting) and 6 rebiunds, while Austin Reaves recorded 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in his second game back from his oblique injury. Deandre Ayton controlled the boards with 16 rebounds to go with 7 points.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but only had 1 assist. LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes, finishing with a team-best individual plus/minus of plus-26. NBAE via Getty Images What it means The Lakers won a playoff series for the first time in three years, when they beat the Warriors in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games.