HOUSTON — One team played like its season was on the line.
The other team was the Lakers, who were on the losing end of Sunday’s Game 4 at Toyota Center for their first loss of theirfirst round playoff series against the Rockets.
After falling behind in the series by three games, the Kevin Durant-less Rockets were the more urgent and aggressive team in their 115-96 blowout victory over the Lakers, who consistently struggled togenerate offense the entire game.
The Lakers shot 50% from the field (37 of 74), but only made 5 of their 22 3-point attempts.
It was their fewest made 3s in a playoff game since making four 3s on April 26, 2013 (Game 3 of 2013 first round series against Spurs).
Deandre Ayton (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (13 points) were the only Lakers who found any sort of rhythm in Game 4 – andAyton was ejected in the third quarterafter being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul after elbowing Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun in the head.
Ayton and Hachimura combined to shoot 15 of 22 from the field.
LeBron James finished with 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting to go with 9 assists and 4 rebounds, but was one of many Lakers who struggled with taking care of the ball, having a team-worst 8 turnovers/
Marcus Smart (9 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocked shots), had 4 of the Lakers’ turnovers.
California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
