NSL Insider - Round 1 Recap: Lakers V Rockets

by sheed36, updated on Sunday, May 25 2025, 07:56 pm EST

Lakers vs. Rockets: Series Review

The first-round matchup between the second-seeded Los Angeles Lakers and the seventh-seeded Houston Rockets promised excitement but turned into a one-sided display of dominance. The Lakers completed a 4–0 sweep, sending Houston into the offseason with more questions than answers. Let’s walk through the series game-by-game and wrap it up with what made the Lakers so effective—and where the Rockets need to go from here.

Game 1 – Rockets 97, Lakers 121

From the tip-off, it was clear the Lakers came in ready. Their offense was fluid, their defense active, and their control over the tempo set the tone. LA dropped 121 points on an efficient 59% shooting, led by Cade Cunningham, Kawhi Leonard, and Zion Williamson, who all contributed solid numbers without having to take over.

The real story was their inside scoring—74 points in the paint—compared to just 30 from the Rockets. Houston's offense was clunky, relying too much on Nikola Jokic, who put up solid numbers but was visibly overwhelmed. T. Haliburton and Alec Burks struggled to make an impact, and the supporting cast offered little resistance on the defensive end.

Game 2 – Rockets 103, Lakers 122

Same story, different day. The Lakers again scored over 120, this time with Thompson leading the way in scoring and hustle. Cunningham and Kawhi continued their balanced leadership, while Zion dominated the boards.

The Rockets saw a hot shooting night from Julian Champagnie, who dropped 23, but it wasn’t enough to compensate for another subpar showing from their backcourt. Jokic flirted with a triple-double, but LA’s bench stepped up with 37 points, giving them a boost Houston just couldn’t match.

The defensive gaps became glaring, especially in transition. The Lakers ran Houston off the floor with 24 fast-break points and superior ball movement, racking up 34 assists as a team.

Game 3 – Lakers 109, Rockets 100

This was Houston’s best shot. Jokic went off for 31 points and 13 rebounds, Champagnie continued his strong play, and the Rockets were within reach until the final stretch. But once again, the Lakers’ depth and discipline carried them.

Chet Holmgren had a standout game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and excellent rim protection. LA's defense held firm in the fourth, outscoring Houston 25–19. The Lakers also outrebounded the Rockets 42–32 and forced key stops when it mattered most.

It was another game where LA’s balanced attack and rebounding edge proved too much. The Rockets simply lacked the extra gear needed to close.

Game 4 – Lakers 120, Rockets 102

With their backs against the wall, Houston couldn’t muster enough resistance. Jokic once again led with 23 points and 14 boards, but it was a lonely effort. The Lakers dominated wire-to-wire, with Zion (20 pts, 17 reb) and Holmgren (22 pts) leading the charge.

LA controlled every aspect of the game: pace, rebounding (49–41), paint scoring (74–44), and assist totals. The Rockets’ offense was predictable and inefficient, and their defense simply couldn’t contain LA’s movement and execution.

Why the Lakers Won

The Lakers didn’t just win—they controlled every game with poise and consistency. Here’s what stood out:

Interior Domination: LA scored 74, 84, 56, and 74 points in the paint respectively. The Rockets had no answer for Zion, Holmgren, or even Leonard’s drives.
Balanced Offense: The Lakers had five or more players in double figures in nearly every game. No over-reliance. Just smart basketball.
Depth Advantage: Bench points were consistently impactful. Whether it was Tyus Jones, Corey Joseph, or Cameron Payne, LA always had fresh legs producing.
Defensive Execution: With elite help defense and shot-blocking (Holmgren, Kessler), the Lakers closed off driving lanes and contested everything inside.

What the Rockets Need to Do

Houston’s got talent, but they need direction.

Give Jokic Help: Nikola Jokic did everything he could, but he can’t carry the load alone. The Rockets need a secondary creator—someone who can relieve playmaking pressure and draw defensive attention.
Improve Wing Defense: LA feasted in the paint and transition because Houston’s wings (Green, Burks) didn’t contain drives or rotate fast enough.
Bench Revamp: Outside of the occasional Jared Butler spark, the bench provided little resistance or scoring punch. That needs fixing in the offseason.
Define Offensive Identity: Too much isolation, not enough structure. Better spacing and motion would open up more of Jokic’s playmaking strengths.

Final Thoughts

The Lakers look like a team built for a deep run—versatile, unselfish, and tough on both ends. Meanwhile, the Rockets should treat this series as a harsh but valuable lesson. With Jokic, they have a franchise cornerstone. Now it’s about building a team around him that can compete in April, not just October.

This series wasn’t close, but it told a clear story. The Lakers are ready. The Rockets? Back to the drawing board.

	WAS	118
	CLE	105

	MIN	92
	SA	113

	CLE	108
	WAS	119

	SA	99
	MIN	104

	WAS	103
	CLE	107

NSL Insider - Round 1 Recap: Lakers V Rockets

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