LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers banked on another furious fourth-quarter showing to seize the lead in their NBA Western Conference semifinals series against the Houston Rockets.

James impressed with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks as the Lakers pummeled the Rockets, 112-102, for a 2-1 series lead on Tuesday, September 8 (Wednesday, September 9, Manila time).

Showing no signs of slowing down in his 17th season, James notched his 162nd career playoff victory, surpassing former Lakers guard Derek Fisher for most postseason wins of all time.

“It says that I’ve played with a lot of great teams,” said James, who won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. “It says that I’ve played with a lot of great teammates and some great coaches.”

Anthony Davis chalked up 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Rajon Rondo came off the bench and put up 21 points and 9 assists, doing most of the damage in the Lakers’ fourth-quarter run.

The Rockets led 85-84 early in the final frame before the Lakers unloaded a 17-4 run, in which Rondo scored 10 points and dished out 3 assists, to sit on a comfortable 101-89 cushion.

With 6 minutes left, the Rockets had ample time for a comeback but it did not help their cause when Robert Covington left the game bloodied after a collision with Davis.

A slight Kyle Kuzma nudge pushed Covington towards Davis, who inadvertently hit the Rockets forward in the head with his elbow.

Covington appeared to have hit his head on the floor following the crash and he never returned to finish the game.

Kuzma chipped in 14 points for the Lakers.

James Harden put up 33 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds for the Rockets, who still failed to bounce back from their Game 2 loss despite getting 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals from Russell Westbrook.

A 64-point first half put the Rockets in the front seat but they could not sustain their offense and scored just a combined 38 points in the final two quarters. – Rappler.com