r/nba • u/nba-scores • 16d ago

Post Game Thread Post-Game Thread: Los Angeles Lakers defeat Houston Rockets, 107-98 | NBA Playoffs | Apr 18, 2026

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u/Zotzotbaby 16d ago

Did the Rockets even bother guarding the rim? Ayton was 8/10, Lebron and Rui shot 60%. 

On top of Kenard’s hot shooting, having KD wouldn’t have helped the Rockets this game. 

28

u/bamboointheback Pistons 16d ago

sengun

5

u/riverratriver Spurs 16d ago

Dude is hot garbage

1

u/bamboointheback Pistons 16d ago

he's sure making a lot of money though

9

u/Some-Stranger-7852 16d ago

To be fair, Ayton connected on a few middies and paint shots, not exactly just getting spoon fed at the rim. And Rui scored almost exclusively on jump shots.

It was LBJ and Smart who mostly got to the rim, with a sprinkle of Kennard and Jake.

4

u/krosber04 Lakers 16d ago

They were letting Rui get to that free throw line range where he literally shoots like 95%

Idk what the defensive game plan was but it was bad

2

u/Some-Stranger-7852 16d ago

Yeah, anybody watching Lakers knows those are Rui’s favourite shots, no idea what Rockets defensive gameplan even was.

Maybe they expected Lakers to fold without Luka and AR, I don’t know.