Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets

The Lakers defeated the Rockets 112-108 in overtime on Friday to take a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference first-round playoff matchup, with LeBron James scoring 29 points including a tying three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, while Marcus Smart contributed 21 points and 10 assists. The reporting is solid and fact-specific, credited to Kristie Rieken of the Associated Press, with precise game details including point totals, timing of crucial plays, and player statistics that allow readers to understand the game's decisive moments. Independent coverage from CBS Sports, The Athletic, and ABC7 corroborates the core facts—James's 29 points and clutch three-pointer, the 112-108 final score, and the Lakers' 3-0 series advantage—while noting the Rockets' continued absence of Kevin Durant due to injury, context the NBC article addresses. Watch for Sunday's potential sweep game in Houston, which would end the series, and monitor Durant's injury status as a factor in determining whether the Rockets can mount any comeback.