James Leads Lakers To Brink Of Play-off Series Win

LeBron James made a three-pointer to unit overtime earlier nan Los Angeles Lakers moved to nan brink of a bid triumph successful nan NBA play-offs.

The NBA's four-time Most Valuable Player levelled nan people pinch 13 seconds near against nan Houston Rockets and almost clinched triumph arsenic he deed nan rim pinch a three-pointer connected nan buzzer.

But nan Lakers went connected to triumph 112-108 successful overtime to declare a 3-0 lead successful nan best-of-seven first information of nan play-offs.

James, 41, again stepped up successful nan absence of nan injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, claiming a team-high 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Marcus Smart besides recorded a double-double, scoring 8 of his 21 points successful overtime and adding a team-high 10 assists.

"With 2 of our champion players down, we've sewage to play desperate," said Smart. "We've sewage to beryllium nan astir hopeless team.

"That's really we've been playing, and that's really we're winning, right? The chemistry has been good, and you're starting to spot guys' assurance spell up because of that."

An ankle sprain ruled retired Houston's starring scorer Kevin Durant for nan 2nd clip successful nan series.

The Rockets besides big crippled 4 connected Sunday and must triumph to forestall nan Lakers earning a expanse of nan bid and booking their spot successful nan Western Conference semi-finals.

Conference rivals San Antonio lead nan Portland Trail Blazers 2-1 aft fighting backmost to declare a 120-108 triumph connected nan road.

Stephon Castle scored 33 points for nan Spurs while rookie reserve Dylan Harper added profession bests of 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Victor Wembanyama was connected nan Spurs chair but could not play arsenic this season's protect subordinate of nan year remained successful concussion protocol aft suffering a caput wounded successful crippled 2 connected Tuesday.

The Boston Celtics took a 2-1 lead complete Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia arsenic they claimed a 108-100 triumph astatine nan 76ers.

Jayson Tatum scored 11 of his 25 points successful nan 4th fourth while Jaylen Brown besides scored 25 points for Boston.