The Houston Rockets were 13 seconds from forcing overtime on their own terms. Instead, LeBron James hit a tying three-pointer, the Lakers won in overtime 112-108, and Houston now faces elimination after falling into a 3-0 series hole.
James finished with 29 points Friday night, and the Lakers did it without any help from a stumbling Rockets team that gave the game away in the final minute. The win gave Los Angeles a commanding lead in their first-round series.
What made it worse for Houston was the absence of Kevin Durant, who sat out the game. A young Rockets roster that had kept itself in contention through three quarters couldn't close out a shorthanded opponent when it mattered most.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka did not soften his assessment afterward. "Horrendous mistakes," he said, according to ESPN. "I don't know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment, or whatever the case."
That kind of public criticism from a head coach after a playoff loss signals how seriously the Rockets' brain trust views the collapse. Houston had the game in hand. Then they didn't. Now they need to win four straight against a Lakers team that has found its footing at exactly the wrong time for their opponent.
No team in NBA history has overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a playoff series. The Rockets will need to make history starting with Game 4.
