Lakers storm back late, win in OT for 3-0 series lead vs. Rockets - ESPN

HOUSTON — Trailing by six with half a minute to go in the fourth quarter Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have squandered their chance to go up 3-0 in their first-round series against the Rockets, letting a double-digit lead slip away after halftime.

Until LeBron James and Marcus Smart, L.A.'s two oldest players on the court, made some magic happen, that is.

«The game's never over until zeroes on the clock,» James said after the Lakers' eventual 112-108 overtime win.

Smart started the sequence by stealing Houston forward Jabari Smith Jr.'s pass with 27.8 seconds left and immediately launched into a 3-point attempt after securing the ball, drawing a foul on Jae'Sean Tate and making all three free throws to cut the lead in half.

«It was a smart play,» said Smart, who finished with 21 points, 10 assists and five steals. «My vet savvy. Been in the league for 12 years. I picked up some tricks.»

Then James, who has played more seasons (23) and appeared in more playoff games (295) than anyone else in NBA history, contributed his own stop and score by trapping Rockets guard Reed Sheppard in the backcourt, poking the ball away to Rui Hachimura, and then spacing out to the arc to hit a catch-and-shoot 3 with 13.6 second left to tie it.

«Listen, we came that far, so trying to see if I can make plays,» said the 41-year-old James, who played 45 minutes and finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers. «Obviously my presence on the floor is key for our ball club.»

L.A. outscored Houston 11-7 in overtime, with Smart scoring eight of the team's points, including two crucial free throws with 52.4 seconds remaining after sneaking behind the Rockets' Tari Eason and getting fouled on a putback attempt