The Houston Rockets delivered a dominant response to playoff pressure with a 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, keeping their Western Conference series alive and preventing a first-round sweep, MySportDab Reports.
Facing elimination after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 3, Houston came out with urgency and intensity, overwhelming the Lakers on both ends of the floor. Amen Thompson led the charge with 23 points, showcasing composure and efficiency as the Rockets cut the series deficit to 3-1.
Houston’s defensive pressure proved decisive, forcing 24 turnovers that translated into 30 points. That relentless approach disrupted any rhythm the Lakers attempted to establish, particularly with several key players already sidelined through injury.
LeBron James endured a difficult night, scoring just 10 points on two-of-nine shooting. While he contributed nine assists, his eight turnovers summed up the Lakers’ struggles under pressure. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still unavailable, the burden fell heavily on others to step up.
Deandre Ayton led Los Angeles with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but his impact was cut short after he was ejected in the third quarter for a forearm to Alperen Sengun’s head. At that stage, the Lakers were already trailing by 19 points, and the dismissal effectively ended any hopes of a comeback.
Sengun finished with 19 points, while Tari Eason added 20, providing strong support for Houston. Despite still missing star forward Kevin Durant, the Rockets showed resilience and belief as they chase what would be a historic turnaround. No NBA team has ever recovered from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.
The series now shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 5, where the Lakers will have another opportunity to close things out on home court.
Elsewhere, Victor Wembanyama made a statement return for the San Antonio Spurs, leading them to a commanding 114-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The victory gives San Antonio a 3-1 series lead and puts them one win away from advancing.
Wembanyama, who missed one game due to a concussion, delivered a sensational all-around performance with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and seven blocks. His presence transformed the Spurs, particularly in the second half where they outscored Portland 73-35.
After the game, the 22-year-old acknowledged the emotions surrounding his return, explaining that he channeled both excitement and frustration into his performance. Despite praising the medical staff who guided his recovery, he expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the concussion protocol, though he declined to go into detail.
De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 28 points, further underlining San Antonio’s offensive firepower. The Spurs will now look to seal the series when they host Game 5.
In Philadelphia, the Boston Celtics produced one of the most dominant performances of the playoffs, thrashing the 76ers 128-96 to take a 3-1 series lead. The game marked Joel Embiid’s return following an emergency appendectomy earlier in the month, but his presence was not enough to slow Boston’s momentum.
Payton Pritchard starred off the bench with 32 points, while Jayson Tatum delivered a near triple-double with 30 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. Boston set the tone early, building a 16-point lead after the first quarter and maintaining a comfortable margin throughout.
Embiid finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but Philadelphia had no answer for the Celtics’ perimeter shooting. Boston drained 24 three-pointers in a clinical display that highlighted the gap between the teams on the night.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors leveled their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2-2 with a gritty 93-89 victory. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram led the way with 23 points each in a tightly contested game.
Toronto struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just four of 30 attempts, but made up for it with resilience down the stretch. Trailing by five points with just over two minutes remaining, the Raptors closed the game on a 9-0 run to snatch victory.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 20 points, while James Harden added 19. However, missed opportunities in the final moments proved costly, as Mitchell failed to convert two late attempts. Barnes sealed the win at the free-throw line, calmly knocking down six late shots under pressure.
With multiple series now at critical stages, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. The Spurs and Celtics are on the verge of advancing, while the Rockets have given themselves a lifeline. The coming games will determine whether these trends continue or if more twists await in an already dramatic postseason.
