The Houston Rockets are facing playoff elimination against the Los Angeles Lakers after blowing a six-point lead in the final moments of Friday’s game, which head coach Ime Udoka is blaming on his team’s inexperience.
‘Horrendous mistakes,’ Udoka said after Houston’s 112-108 overtime loss in Game 3 of the first-round series. ‘I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case.’
The Rockets now trail the Lakers 3-0 heading into a win-or-else Game 4 on Sunday night in Houston.
Udoka’s team was without injured veteran Kevin Durant on Friday, but the Rockets were still in position to cut into the Lakers’ series lead with a 101-95 edge in the final minute of Game 3.
But after two costly turnovers by LA’sĀ LeBron James, the Lakers suddenly clicked while the Rockets completely unraveled.
First Lakers guard Marcus Smart was inexplicably fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds to play in regulation.
Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets speaks with forward Tari Eason
The Lakers’ LeBron James (23) launches a three-point shot over Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) to tie the game at 101
After he made all three free throws, James stole the ball from second-year Rockets guard Reed Sheppard before draining a 3-pointer to tie the game at 101 with 13 seconds remaining.
‘It was a stupid turnover,’ Sheppard said. ‘[Alperen Sengun’s] man came up. I should have hit Alpie right over half court and just made the simple play. I tried to split the two defenders.’
Sengun, a 23-year-old Turkish center, missed a potential game-winning shot, which he took with 1.7 seconds remaining.
That proved to be enough time for the Lakers to get their own chance for a buzzer beater, but James’ heave rimmed out, sending the game to overtime, where things only got worse for Houston.
After being outscored 11-7 in the final frame, Udoka forced his team to rewatch the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to see their mistakes. From Udoka’s perspective, the problem of finishing games has been a recurring issue all season.
Houston’sĀ Alperen Sengun (left) insists he and his young teammates are not giving upĀ
The Rockets gave the Lakers an extra chance at the end of the fourth by shooting with 1.7 seconds remaining. LeBron James (pictured) grabbed the rebound and called timeoutĀ
‘It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,’ Udoka said. ‘The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious, and you can’t have those.’
As for his message to his young team, Udoka didn’t pull any punches.
‘Grow up,’ he said he told them. ‘You’re not that young anymore.’
For his part, Sengun insisted he and his teammates have not surrendered and still hope to come back to beat the Lakers in seven games.
‘We’ll be upset tonight. That’s for sure,’ he said. ‘But we’ve got to get over it. Nobody’s giving up.’
Durant remains questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury, but Udoka did say he’s making some progress.
