The Houston Rockets wrapped up a three-game road trip with Monday's 104-98 loss (box score) versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Houston (49-27) remains at No. 2 in Western Conference standings after losing for just the second time in 14 games, though its margin for that second seed was reduced. The Lakers (46-29) are now 2.5 games back at No. 4, and the fate of a head-to-head tiebreaker versus the Rockets will depend on an April 11 rematch — also at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Rockets need one victory or one Memphis loss to secure a top-six seed — and with it, their first division title and NBA playoffs appearance in five years. The Grizzlies (44-31) host the Golden State Warriors (43-31) on Tuesday, while the Rockets host the Utah Jazz (16-60) on Wednesday.
As for Monday's game, which was the second night of a back-to-back after winning Sunday in Phoenix, key statistics included:
- Amen Thompson: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks; 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 15 points, 11 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 4-of-4 on free throws
- Jalen Green: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists; 4-of-13 shooting (30.8%)
- Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Tari Eason: 13 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 7 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds; 2-of-14 shooting (14.3%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
- LeBron James (Lakers): 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%)
- Luka Doncic (Lakers): 20 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
- Dorian Finney-Smith (Lakers): 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks +16 in 32 minutes; 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
- Gabe Vincent (Lakers): 20 points, 4 rebounds; 6-of-13 on 3-pointers (46.2%)
The Rockets are now 7-10 on the second game of back-to-backs in the 2024-25 season. Fortunately, Houston does not have any more remaining.
NBA STANDINGS UPDATE ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2025
▪️ BOS wins 9 straight, OKC wins 10 straight
▪️ LAC wins 8 of last 10
▪️ LAL pulls 1 game within DEN for West #3 pic.twitter.com/nbUBPqMBhh
Collectively, the difference between the teams on Monday night came down to 3-point shooting. Houston made 10-of-32 (31.3%) from distance, while the Lakers had both superior volume and accuracy at 16-of-46 (34.8%).
“The difference was a few of their guys made ...
