Overview The Western Conference first round is revealing which top seeds are in control, which teams are vulnerable, which stars are rising and which role players are making postseason impacts. Below are the key takeaways and things to watch from each of the four Western series.
Los Angeles Lakers lead Houston Rockets 2-0 Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Takeaway: The momentum shifted early when Kevin Durant, returning from a Game 1 absence, emphatically blocked Luke Kennard on the opening possession. Durant finished 23 points and six rebounds, but LeBron James set the tone with a 28-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist performance — the game’s best. The Lakers largely duplicated their Game 1 approach, relying on tightened defense (holding Houston under 100 on 40.4% shooting) and timely scoring. Houston rallied late after a turnover-heavy second quarter by L.A., but Marcus Smart’s fourth-quarter 3 pushed the Lakers ahead for good.
What to watch: Can the Rockets protect home court at Toyota Center after a dominant regular-season run there? Will Durant’s knee and his nine turnovers from Game 2 be corrected with two days’ rest so he can look more like himself in Game 3 (F
