LeBron James forces OT, where the Lakers ultimately prevail to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Rockets.
Just get one. For any team down 3-0 in a series, winning Game 4 is the goal.
Everyone knows the statistic: No team has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series in the NBA playoffs. The overall record in a series for teams trailing 3-0 is 0-159.
Down 3-0 to the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in a first-round Western Conference playoff series and their season on the line, the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets don’t need a reminder of the steep climb they face.
Can the Rockets force a Game 5?
There were enough positives despite a late Game 3 collapse for the Rockets to draw from as they try to extend the series.
Here are three things to watch in Game 4 on Sunday (9:30 ET, NBC/Peacock):
1. What is Kevin Durant’s availability for Game 4?
Rockets star Kevin Durant missed Game 1 with a bruised right knee sustained in a practice and missed Game 3 with a sprained left ankle sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
He is listed as questionable on the official injury report and likely will be a game-time decision.
“He’s getting treatment still around the clock,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. “I think there’s some soreness and (he’s) pushed a lot of swelling out, but it’ll be a matter of if he can go. We’ll try it out I’m sure tomorrow morning and before the game, and we’ll know his status then.”
Even hobbled, the Rockets can use Durant’s skillset.
2. Slowing LeBron James
LeBron James turns in a vintage performance with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in a pivotal Game 3 win over the Rockets.
The Lakers are playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves – the team’s top two scorers – and the Rockets haven’t found a way to limit 41-year-old LeBron James.
James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.0 steals and shooting 47.4% from the field and 43.8% on 3-pointers. He has orchestrated a masterful Lakers performance that has allowed Luke Kennard to average 21.3 points; Marcus Smart, 20.3 points; and Rui Hachimura, 16.3 points.
It’s too easy for James, who is relishing the moment and throwing lobs to his son, Bronny James, forcing turnovers and making clutch 3-pointers with the game on the line.
The Rockets need to find a way to mitigate his production.
3. Limiting mistakes, better shooting for the Rockets
The Rockets featured a starting lineup with five players 24 years old or younger in Game 3. They have a talented, young team, and that leads to mistakes which were on display late in Game 3 when the Lakers overcame a 101-95 deficit in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Turnovers, fouls and shooting (just 28.7% on 3-pointers in the series) have hurt the Rockets.
But there are positives they can apply to Game 4. The Rockets controlled much of the second half, and Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson each scored at least 24 points. Sengun had 33 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and three steals; Thompson posted 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks; Smith added 24 points and six rebounds.
That’s the kind of production that can lead to a victory. Reducing ill-timed turnovers and improved shooting will put Houston in position to extend the series. Each game has been decided by nine points or fewer, and Game 3 went to overtime.
The Rockets have been close but haven’t been able to finish.
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Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at jzillgitt@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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