Game ID: 22401096
Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Monday, March 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 16 32 34 22 104HOU 19 29 29 21 98
HOU @ LAL ScoutingHOU @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restBACK James back 3/22 after 7, 31 min since (89% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 18 min since (56% of 32)
BACK Hayes back 3/16 after 4, 25 min since (131% of 19)
BACK Reddish back 3/20 after 3, 22 min since (125% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (114% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Goodwin 17 to 27 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/26 · 1 day's restOUT Reddish missed 2 since 3/22, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 35 min since (98% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 21 min since (65% of 32)
BACK Morris back 3/20 after 3, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Len back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (114% of 10)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 8 min since (82% of 10)
NEW Goodwin 17 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/27 · back-to-backOUT Reddish missed 3 since 3/22, not on tonight's roster
OUT Morris missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 36 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 23 min since (73% of 32)
BACK Jemison III back 3/20 after 5, 8 min since (82% of 10)
LAL availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 3 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 3/26, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 23 min since (73% of 32)
BACK Reddish back 3/20 after 3, 22 min since (125% of 18)
LAL availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 4 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 4 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 4 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 3/26, out tonight
BACK James back 3/22 after 7, 37 min since (104% of 35)
BACK Hachimura back 3/22 after 12, 25 min since (77% of 32)
LAL availability going into 4/03 · 2 days' restOUT Morris missed 5 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 5 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 5 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 4 since 3/26, out tonight
LAL availability going into 4/04 · back-to-backOUT Morris missed 6 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Milton missed 6 since 3/24, returns tonight: 2 min (17% of 11)
OUT Len missed 6 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 5 since 3/26, returns tonight: 5 min (49% of 10)
LAL availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 7 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 7 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK Milton back 4/04 after 6, 2 min since (17% of 11)
BACK Jemison III back 4/04 after 5, 5 min since (49% of 10)
LAL availability going into 4/08 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 8 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Len missed 8 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK Milton back 4/04 after 6, 2 min since (17% of 11)
BACK Jemison III back 4/04 after 5, 5 min since (49% of 10)
HOU availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 10 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 8 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 34 min since (107% of 32)
NEW Eason 24 to 32 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 11 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Holiday missed 2 since 3/21, returns tonight: 10 min (81% of 13)
OUT Sheppard missed 9 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
HOU availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 12 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 10 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 4 since 3/19, returns tonight: 14 min (115% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 33 min since (103% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 10 min since (81% of 13)
NEW Green 33 to 38 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/30 · 2 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 7 since 3/15, returns tonight: 13 min (83% of 15)
OUT Dante missed 13 since 3/04, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 11 since 3/08, returns tonight: 12 min (99% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 4 since 3/21, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
OUT Tate missed 5 since 3/19, returns tonight: 13 min (113% of 11)
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 32 min since (98% of 32)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 11 min since (90% of 13)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 14 min since (115% of 12)
NEW Adams 15 to 23 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/31 · back-to-backOUT Dante missed 14 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/21 after 6, 30 min since (92% of 32)
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 13 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (115% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 12 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 15 min since (126% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 10 min since (84% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (113% of 11)
NEW Adams 15 to 20 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 15 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 13 min since (83% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (115% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 12 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 15 min since (126% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 10 min since (84% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (113% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 16 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 12 min since (81% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (113% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 10 min since (87% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 12 min since (110% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 17 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 9 min since (56% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 7 min since (60% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (117% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/09 · 2 days' restOUT Dante missed 18 since 3/04, returns tonight: 14 min (107% of 13)
OUT Landale missed 2 since 4/04, returns tonight: 34 min (294% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 4/04, returns tonight: 18 min (161% of 12)
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 7 min since (44% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 6 min since (48% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 10 min since (90% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Dončić at 31 and Reaves at 26 a game. Without Morris (4 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Green at 24 and Sengun at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and the Lakers minus-2 and the defense, Houston allowing 109 a night to the Lakers' 126. Call it Houston 116, the Lakers 115, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/24 @ ORL 106-118 — LAL notes
LAL lost 106-118. LAL shot 46% (37 of 80) to ORL's 49%, 10 of 32 from three. Dončić led with 32 (9 of 23, 4 of 10 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); James added 24, Reaves 18. Q1 was theirs, 30-26, but the other 3 periods went 92-76 against them. James's -17 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/26 @ IND 120-119 — LAL notes
LAL won 120-119. LAL shot 52% (41 of 79) to IND's 51%, 17 of 38 from three. LAL turned it over 14 times to IND's 9, and IND turned those into 9 steals. Dončić led with 34 (11 of 21, 6 of 10 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Reaves added 24, Hachimura 14. The hinge was Q2, 40-22: LAL came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 13, and the lead reached 17. Vanderbilt was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
3/27 @ CHI 117-119 — LAL notes
LAL lost 117-119. LAL shot 49% (45 of 91) to CHI's 47%, 12 of 41 from three. Reaves led with 30 (10 of 17, 3 of 9 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Dončić added 25, Hayes 19. Q3 was theirs, 32-17, but the other 3 periods went 102-85 against them. They led by as many as 18. James's -10 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 @ MEM 134-127 — LAL notes
LAL won 134-127. LAL shot 51% (45 of 89) to MEM's 53%, 19 of 43 from three, and went to the line 27 times to MEM's 18 — 25 points from the stripe to their 13. Reaves led with 31 (8 of 16, 5 of 8 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Dončić added 29, James 25. The hinge was Q1, 39-28: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Finney-Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/31 vs HOU 104-98 — LAL notes
LAL won 104-98. LAL shot 39% (35 of 89) to HOU's 42%, 16 of 46 from three. Dončić led with 20 (6 of 16, 1 of 7 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Finney-Smith added 20, Vincent 20. The hinge was Q3, 34-29: from level to 5 ahead. Finney-Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
4/03 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 28 and Reaves at 23 a game. Without Morris (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Curry at 29 and Butler III at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Payton II (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Lakers 115, Golden State 114, Golden State keeping it close.
4/04 vs NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Reaves at 26 and Dončić at 25 a game. Without Morris (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Hawkins at 14 and Brown at 12 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-6 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 16 times a game to the Lakers' 11. Call it the Lakers 116, New Orleans 111.
4/06 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 23 a game. One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Reaves at 27 and Dončić at 26 a game. They have lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Morris (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-0 a night and the Lakers minus-4 and the arc, OKC at 42 percent from three to the Lakers' 37. Call it OKC 120, the Lakers 111.
4/08 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 28 and Jal. Williams at 23 a game. One day's rest. The Lakers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 27 and Reaves at 25 a game. Without Morris (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it OKC 117, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
3/23 vs DEN 111-116 — HOU notes
HOU lost 111-116. HOU shot 44% (39 of 89) to DEN's 51%, 11 of 34 from three, and went to the line 34 times to DEN's 26 — 22 points from the stripe to their 18. Green led with 30 (8 of 22, 3 of 12 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Brooks added 21, Sengun 17. Q4 was theirs, 32-20, the deficit cut from 17 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 96-79 against them.
3/25 vs ATL 121-114 — HOU notes
HOU won 121-114. HOU shot 45% (42 of 93) to ATL's 42%, 11 of 39 from three, and went to the line 29 times to ATL's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 13. Green led with 32 (14 of 24, 1 of 7 from three); VanVleet added 21, Sengun 18. The hinge was Q2, 35-25: a lead of 7 became 17, and the lead reached 25. Adams was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/27 @ UTA 121-110 — HOU notes
HOU won 121-110. HOU shot 46% (47 of 102) to UTA's 54%, 12 of 37 from three. HOU turned it over 9 times to UTA's 16. The glass went 51-33 for them. Sengun led with 33 (11 of 19, 11 of 13 at the line); Green added 21, Eason 15. The hinge was Q3, 36-29: a lead of 2 became 9, and the lead reached 15. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/30 @ PHX 148-109 — HOU notes
HOU won 148-109. HOU shot 57% (56 of 98) to PHX's 48%, 18 of 31 from three, and went to the line 25 times to PHX's 17 — 18 points from the stripe to their 15. HOU turned it over 9 times to PHX's 19. Ja. Green led with 33 (9 of 17, 4 of 5 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Sengun added 16, VanVleet 13. The hinge was Q2, 46-25: a lead of 8 became 29, and the lead reached 42. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
3/31 @ LAL 98-104 — HOU notes
HOU lost 98-104. HOU shot 42% (37 of 89) to LAL's 39%, 10 of 32 from three. Thompson led with 20 (8 of 14, 1 of 3 from three); Brooks added 16, Smith Jr. 15. Q1 was theirs, 19-16, but the other 3 periods went 88-79 against them. Green's -11 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 25 and Sengun at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 124, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Sexton at 16 and Filipowski at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Collins (10 straight), Kessler (2 straight), Clarkson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Utah minus-10 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Utah's 124. Call it Houston 121, Utah 106, Houston by 15.
4/04 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Sengun at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 46 from three, 25 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Wiggins (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 46 percent from three to Houston's 38 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-13 a night and OKC plus-7. Call it Houston 116, OKC 115, OKC keeping it close.
4/06 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 32 and Podziemski at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 24 and Sengun at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 14 a night. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-14 a night and Golden State plus-5. Call it Golden State 116, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
4/09 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 99, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and Harden at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Coffey (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 24 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 112, Houston 111, Houston keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
HOUAS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JS J. Smith Jr.
JG Ja. Green
SA S. Adams
TE T. Eason
LALAR A. Reaves
DF D. Finney-Smith
DO Doncic
GV G. Vincent
JG J. Goodwin
JH J. Hayes
JV J. Vanderbilt
LD L. Dončić
LJ L. James
RH R. Hachimura
HOU/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Lakers hold off Rockets 104-98 with 6 3-pointers apiece from Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent
LOS ANGELES -- — Luka Doncic had 20 points and nine assists, and Gabe Vincent added 20 points on six 3-pointers in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
LeBron James finished with 16 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who solidified their hold on fourth place in the Western Conference.
Dorian Finney-Smith also scored a season-high 20 points and hit six 3-pointers while Los Angeles sent second-place Houston to only its second loss in 14 games.
After James hit two free throws with 11.1 seconds left to put the Lakers up 102-98, he soared across the key to block Alperen Sengun 's layup attempt. Dillon Brooks then missed a 3-point attempt to seal the Lakers' 29th home victory.
Amen Thompson scored 20 points and Brooks had 16 for the Rockets, who had won three straight.
The Lakers' two superstars both looked weary, and much of LA's offense consisted of Doncic and James drawing defenders before kicking to Finney-Smith and Vincent for 3-point attempts.
Neither team led by more than eight points all night, but Los Angeles nursed a small lead throughout the final 17 minutes of play.
Takeaways Rockets: They remained defensively tenacious in the second game of a road back-to-back, but their offense was lacking. Leading scorer Jalen Green had only nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, and Sengun managed just 14.
Lakers: They sometimes looked exhausted in their 19th game in 35 days, but got the job done.
Key moment After Brooks missed one of two free throws with 20.1 seconds left to trim Los Angeles’ lead to 100-98, the Rockets nearly tied up Finney-Smith for a jump ball — but the Lakers called a timeout first.
Key stat Finney-Smith posted his Lakers highs in points and 3-pointers.
Up next The Rockets host Utah on Wednesday. After their first back-to-back days off in three weeks the Lakers host Golden State on Thursday.