LeBron James recorded 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Houston Rockets 101-94, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

With Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) sidelined, Marcus Smart scored 25 points (5-of-7 from three) and Luke Kennard added 23 points. “We had to double our effort from Game 1,” James said. “We understood their desperation, so we had to be even more desperate.”

Kevin Durant, returning from a knee contusion, scored 23 points but committed nine turnovers and was held to three points after halftime. Alperen Sengun posted 20 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, Jabari Smith Jr. had 18, and Amen Thompson added 16 points and nine assists.

“Turnovers hurt us, but overall we were decent except for the third quarter,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “But 7-for-29 from three, 8-for-20 on second-chance points, and shooting 40 percent is not good enough.” The best-of-seven series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday.

Scoot Henderson scored a season-high 31 points as the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-103, tying the series 1-1. Victor Wembanyama left with a concussion and is questionable for Game 3 on Friday in Portland.

The Philadelphia 76ers evened their Eastern Conference series with the Boston Celtics, shooting 19-of-39 from three. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 11 threes and 59 points, while Paul George added 19. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 36 points, but no other Celtic reached double figures.

Source: www.aljazeera.com