Rockets win Game 1 behind Harden’s 36 points

     As Game 1 is under way between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets with the Lakers coming out on a 7-0 run playing great defense with them hitting a couple of threes. Houston got a run for themselves as they got back in the game after calling a time out with James Harden doing what he does best which is scoring the ball as he adds a quick 12 points and takes the lead 20-16 with 3:54 remaining in the first.

Lakers G Rajon Rondo comes in the game late in the first as he makes his Lakers playoff debut after getting surgery on his thumb a few weeks back. You can already see the effect that he brings to this game with him back in the line up. The Lakers can now feel more comfortable resting LeBron a few extra minutes with Rondo back, before his returned, it was hard for Lakers Coach Frank Vogel to have LeBron sitting on the bench with no other real point guard on the court.

James Harden GOES OFF for 25 1st-half points!@HoustonRockets 63@Lakers 55#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/lvJbUmDsaP

— NBA (@NBA) September 5, 2020

James Harden has been the only piece of life the Rockets have with him controlling the first half with 20 points while others like Russell Westbrook have 5 points on 2-5 from the field. Late in the 2nd quarter, there was three straight possessions where James Harden was guarding Anthony Davis on the post and Davis score on all three.  LeBron and Davis have a combined of 23 points in the first half as they are down 63-55 heading to the locker room. Frank Vogel is one of the best coaches who does great adjustments during games especially coming into the 3rd quarter. They’re were a few moments were LeBron James was upset at a couple teammates, one being Kyle Kuzma because of defensive mistakes which allowed the Rockets to capitalize on the Lakers.

In the beginning of the 3rd quarter both teams came out strong as the Lakers came back to tie up the game but then James Harden continued his dominance as he gives the Rockets back the lead, currently leads all scorers with 31 points and 4 assists and Anthony Davis with 19 points and 9 rebounds as the 3rd quarter is almost coming to an end with 2:44 remaining with the Rockets lead 76-73. LeBron also has added 17 points 6 rebounds and 6 assists while Russell Westbrook continues to struggle shooting 6-16 from the field. The Lakers have held the Rockets to 10-30 from three and only 9 fast break points in the first 3 quarters.

Coming into the 4th quarter with the Rockets leading 85-79, they continue pushing the Lakers to the limit as they take a 12 point lead with 9:44 remaining and Anthony Davis is still on the bench and one point LeBron James was screaming towards the Lakers Bench saying “Spacing” and right away Davis checked in the game. Rockets G Russell Westbrook has began to finally get involved in this game as he and the Rockets go on a 10-0 run with Russell having 20 points on 9-20 from the field and he hits a 3 pointer in front of Anthony Davis and takes a 15 point lead with 9:07 remaining in the game.

Frank Vogel better play Dion about 25-30 minutes in this series or the Lakers could be in series trouble!!! He’s the only other Laker that can go get a Bucket on his own…because Kuzma ain’t it.

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) September 5, 2020

The Lakers just decided to not really play defense in this game which is very disappointing after the great defense they played in the first round. We finally see Lakers G Dion Waiters make his first appearance with 5 mins remaining in the game and still no sign on JR Smith in this game were I believe they could use his shooting and the play making he brings to this team. Kyle Kuzma has not been reliable on both sides of the ball and especially when the team needs him. He was lost multiple times on the court were LeBron really started screaming at him at times during the game with LeBron going scoreless in the 4th quarter as Frank Vogel takes him out of the game with 2:30 remaining. He finishes with 20 points 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Anthony Davis adds 25 points 14 rebounds as they both played 37 minutes each in Game 1 loss.

Have yourself a night, Beard!

🏀 36pts
🏀 12-20 FG
✔️ Game 1 W@reliantenergy l #OneMission pic.twitter.com/bicDJqWOF8

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 5, 2020

As the Rockets take Game 1 behind James Harden’s 36 points, The Lakers are now in the same position they were in the first round as they also dropped Game 1 against the Blazers. Game 2 between the Rockets and The #1 seed Lakers is this Sunday at 8:30ET/5:30PT on ABC.

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