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Lakers Win OT, Take 3-0 Lead Over Rockets

4/25/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3, taking a 3-0 series lead.
Lakers played without star guard Luka Doncic and forward Austin Reaves, while the Rockets missed Kevin Durant due to injury.
LeBron James recorded 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in 45 minutes.
Marcus Smart added 21 points, 10 assists and five steals, scoring eight points in overtime.

History

Historical Context

After the Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, turned a 2-1 deficit into a seven-game victory over the New York Knicks to claim Houston’s first major sports title in 1994—capped by a 58-win season and the “Clutch City” moniker—the franchise returned to the spotlight in 2024 when the Los Angeles Lakers edged Houston in an overtime semifinal, underscoring the lasting impact of those early ’90s triumphs.

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Story summary

The Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3, taking a 3-0 series lead.
Lakers played without star guard Luka Doncic and forward Austin Reaves, while the Rockets missed Kevin Durant due to injury.
LeBron James recorded 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in 45 minutes.
Marcus Smart added 21 points, 10 assists and five steals, scoring eight points in overtime.

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