Pinoyliga Daily NBA Recap: Lakers Hold On for Important Game Four Win

This was supposed to be a dominant win for the mighty Lakers and yet, they allowed the Houston Rockets to come within five points in the final minute.

Fortunately, Alex Caruso was there to drain that dagger trey off an assist from LeBron James that gave the Lakers more breathing room as Los Angeles moved within a win away from returning to the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference Finals after scoring a 110-100 win in Game Four of their best-of-seven semifinal series.

Anthony Davis led the way with 29 points and 12 rebounds while LeBron James had another majestic stat line of 16 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. Alex Caruso also had 16 points off the bench while Rajon Rondo had a third consecutive great game with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Danny Green and Kentavious Cardwell-Pope combined for 20 points on four for 10 shooting from the three-point line. The Lakers held a massive rebounding edge (52-26) including a 12-1 edge on the offensive board despite JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard not playing. The Purple and Gold also outscored the Rockets 62-24 in points in the paint. 

Russell Westbrook finished with 25 points for Houston while James Harden shot two for 11 from the field and 16 for 20 from the free-throw line for his 21 points. Eric Gordon had 19 points with Austin Rivers coming off the bench and finishing with 14 points. The Rockets scored 30 points in the fourth quarter but couldn't complete the comeback as Caruso blocked Gordon's lay-up with 28 seconds to go that translated into an alley-oop dunk by LeBron James off a Rondo lob that sealed the final score. 

The Lakers can close out the series on Sunday (Manila time) and head back to the West Finals for the first time since 2010. 

Photo is from Rockets Wire- USA Today