'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Los Angeles Lakers had a tough overtime loss against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center with a scoreline of 138-134.
The Lakers led for almost the entirety of the match and had a 7-point lead with 1:12 minutes remaining in the regulation time but the Rockets came roaring back with three ridiculous three-pointers to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Rockets kept on making their shots in the overtime and despite a valiant effort from Brandon Ingram, the Lakers failed to come back in the match.
The Lakers lost Lonzo Ball through an ankle sprain midway through the third quarter when they were leading by 15 points. That was one of the turning points of the match and the Lakers had to play out the match without their point guard.
With the win, the Rockets have improved to a 26-19 record, 17-7 at home and are the 5th ranked team in the Western Conference. The Lakers dropped to the ninth place and have a 25-22 record.
Let's have a look at the hits and the flops from the match.
Flop - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
KCP had a night to forget for the Lakers. He had a net rating of -14 for the match and some of his erratic plays in the clutch moments cost his team the win.
KCP has been playing well in the absence of LeBron James. But he was way off in this match. He shot 4-12 from the field and 0-7 from the 3PT line. He failed to guard Eric Gordon on his three to tie the game in regulation. In the overtime period, KCP tried playing hero ball and air-balled a three pointer with plenty of time still left in the shot clock.
With Lonzo Ball's injury, KCP will be playing an even bigger role in the next game against the Warriors. He needs to step up and perform better if the Lakers want to upset the defending champions.
Hit - Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon has recently returned from his injury and has been playing really well for the Houston Rockets. He was totally locked in from the deep in the match tonight.
Eric Gordon provided great support to James Harden on the offensive end. He made the game-tying three pointer in the regulation period and then opened the overtime period with another made three-pointer. He also made clutch free throws to close out the game for his team.
Gordon finished the match with 30 points on 5-10 shooting from the 3PT line. He also made 11 out of his 12 free throws, most of them coming in the overtime period. With Chris Paul and Clint Capela out with injuries, the Rockets need Gordon to provide ample support to James Harden.
The Rockets next visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Flop - Josh Hart
Josh Hart was selected as the number 30th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He has become a vital cog for the team ever since his arrival.
After having a great game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Josh Hart was not up to mark in tonight's match. He failed to put up the effort that is expected of him in every game.
Josh Hart has not been shooting the ball very well in recent games. His shot again let him down against the Rockets. He missed some open three pointers and finished the game with just 7 points in 26 minutes of playing time. Hart shot 3-10 from the field and 1-6 from beyond the arc. He had a net rating of -8 for the match and could not make any impact on either ends.
Josh Hart will be hoping to have a far bigger impact in the next match when the Lakers return home to face the Warriors.
Hit - James Harden
James Harden is on a historic run of his own. With his 48 points in the match against the Lakers, Harden has scored above 30 points in 19 consecutive matches.
Harden is the leading contender to win his second MVP award. His scoring outbursts since the injury to Chris Paul have lifted the Houston Rockets from the 14th place to the 5th place in the Western Conference standings.
Harden shot 14-30 from the field, 8-19 from the 3PT line and 12-15 from the FT line. He also made two three-pointers in the final minute to mount a comeback for the Rockets. After having two 55+ points, Harden again lit up the Toyota Center making some ridiculous shots that only he is capable of making.
Unless, someone makes a great run at the MVP award in the second half of the season, James Harden is bound to win in back to back seasons.
