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Rockets’ Kevin Durant looks 100 percent on perfect pull up 3
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- Rockets’ Kevin Durant looks 100 percent on perfect pull up 3
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The Houston Rockets knew they were in trouble after a lackluster Game 1, but having Kevin Durant back in the lineup changes everything. After missing the series opener with a nagging knee contusion, Durant returned for Game 2 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena and looked every bit like the superstar the Rockets need to make a deep playoff run.
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The "Slim Reaper" didn't take long to silence the Los Angeles Lakers crowd. Early in the first quarter, with the Lakers holding a slim 12-11 lead, Durant casually brought the ball up the floor, sized up his defender at the top of the key, and buried a signature pull-up 3-pointer. It was "nothing but net" and a clear signal to Ime Udoka and the rest of the Rockets bench that his right knee was at 100 percent.
However, despite Durant's individual brilliance, the Rockets find themselves in an early hole . As the game remains in progress, the Lakers hold a 36-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. Durant has been the lone bright spot for a Houston offense that is still trying to find its rhythm, racking up 11 points on an incredibly efficient 4-of-5 shooting in his first 12 minutes of action.
The Lakers, playing without superstars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves , are once again leaning on the ageless LeBron James and a scorching-hot Luke Kennard to keep the Rockets at bay. Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead by forcing three Houston turnovers, all credited to Durant as he shakes off some inevitable rust, but his scoring gravity is already creating much better looks for Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson than they saw in Game 1.
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With the Rockets trailing 1-0 in the series, the stakes couldn't be higher. Houston needs to tighten up their defense to support Durant's scoring if they want to head home with a tied series. There's a lot of basketball left, but Kevin Durant is back, and he's ready to carry the load.
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