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 sat out Game 3 due to a sprained left ankle he suffered during the fourth quarter of Game 2.
Durant is currently listed as questionable on the official injury report, and his status will likely be a game-time decision.
Coach Ime Udoka offered some insight, explaining, “He’s getting treatment still around the clock. 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.” Rocket fans will hold their breath to see if the star player can make an impact, even in a hobbled state.
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 navigating a roster shake-up without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves – their top two scorers – yet the Rockets have struggled to contain a 41-year-old LeBron James.
LeBron’s postseason stats are impressive: averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 47.4% from the field and a remarkable 43.8% from the three-point line.
With James orchestrating the court so masterfully, teammates like Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, and Rui Hachimura have all seen boosts in their performances. The Rockets need a solid strategy in place to limit James if they want any chance of survival in this series.
3. Limiting Mistakes and Better Shooting for the Rockets
In Game 3, the Rockets fielded a youthful starting lineup featuring five players aged 24 and younger. While their talent is undeniable, it often leads to youthful mistakes, particularly highlighted during the critical moments of Game 3 when a crucial late-game collapse allowed the Lakers to overcome a 101-95 deficit and force overtime.
Issues like turnovers, fouls, and poor shooting plagued the Rockets, which has been illustrated by their low shooting percentage of just 28.7% from beyond the arc throughout the series.
Despite these setbacks, it’s essential to focus on the positives. Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson each scored over 24 points in Game 3, with Sengun boasting an impressive 33 points alongside 16 rebounds, and Thompson adding 26 points with 11 boards.
If the Rockets can reduce their turnovers and improve their shooting, they could turn the tide. Each game has been closely contested, with outcomes decided by nine points or fewer, and Game 3 even going into overtime. The Rockets have proved they can compete; they just need to learn how to close out games effectively.
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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.
