One ofthe biggest questions entering the Lakers-Rockets first-round playoff serieswas how the Luka Doncic- and Austin Reaves-less Lakers would generate quality offense against the Rockets’ defense that ranked sixth during the regular season.

But for at least one night, the Lakers flipped the script on theKevin Durant-less Rocketswith suffocating defense en route to a107-98 victory in Game 1 on Saturdayto take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Lakers limited the Rockets to 37.6% shooting from the field,the worst opponent shooting percentage against the Lakers in the playoffssince April 28, 2023, when the Grizzlies shot 30.2% in Game 6 of the 2023 first-round series.

The Rockets shot 40% on 2-pointers in Game 1, which was just the third time this season between the regular season and playoffs that Houston shot 40% or worse on 2s.

“We did a good job of contesting those 6- to 8-foot shots without fouling,” coach JJ Redick said. “Using our length. [Deandre Ayton] Jaxson [Hayes], [LeBron James], Rui [Hachimura], [Jarred Vanderbilt], all those guys, Jake [LaRavia].”

The Lakers’ defensive success started with limiting Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ All-Star center and second-leading scorer behind Durant, who became the focal point after Durant’s absence due to injury was announced 90 minutes before tipoff.

“I don’t think it affected our mentality,” Redick said. “This is all we’ve talked about for two months: Our playoff mentality; you can’t worry about who’s in or out of the lineup. It’s our game plan, it’s our standards, it’s how we play. And we’ve built toward that. Our guys just responded well and met the moment.”

Sengun, who averaged 20.4 points on 51.9% shooting and a career-high 6.2 assists during the regular season, had 19 points and six assists in Game 1. He shot 31.6% (6 of 19) from the field against the Lakers.

At the center of the off night from Sengun, and the Lakers’ defensive success, was Ayton, their starting big man who not only had a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double but was also the primary defender on Sengun.

Ayton matched Sengun’s physicality, contributing to Sengun shooting 4 of 11 from the field when he was Sengun’s primary defender.

Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos