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LeBron James and Marcus Smart delivered double-doubles for the Los Angeles Lakers, who seized full control of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets with a 112-108 overtime victory on the road in Game 3.
After James' 29 points and 13 rebounds helped force overtime with a crucial three-pointer, Smart scored 8 of his 21 points in the extra period to give his team a commanding 3-0 series lead. Smart also dished out 10 assists, while Rui Hachimura contributed 22 points for the Lakers in the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Rockets were without their leading scorer Kevin Durant for the second time in the series. Durant, who missed Game 1 with a knee injury, was sidelined due to a left ankle sprain sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Alperen Sengun led all Rockets scorers with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 assists.
Stephon Castle poured in 33 points, and rookie Dillon Harper recorded a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Playing without superstar Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit to take a 2-1 series lead. For Portland, Jrue Holiday tallied 29 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
Jayson Tatum scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
Jaylen Brown matched Tatum with 25 points, while Payton Pritchard added 15 for the Celtics, who now hold a 2-1 series advantage. Tyrese Maxey led the scoring for Philly with 31 points.
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