Lakers Have a Real Shot at Houston

Game one went to the Lakers, and Rich thinks the series just tilted.

LeBron James almost triple-doubled at 41 years old. Eight assists in the first quarter. Facilitating at the top of his game. No Luka Doncic. No Austin Reaves. No Kevin Durant for the Rockets, who watched from the bench as LeBron set records and broke the script on what this series was supposed to be.

Luke Kennard had a Luke Kennard night. Five-of-five from three. Twenty-seven points. The exact profile of shooter the Lakers went out and got to flank LeBron. Deandre Ayton was terrific. The formula that has worked LeBron's entire career, surround him with shooters, surfaced again in game one.

Bronny checked in. LeBron and Bronny shared the floor in a playoff game. Afterward, LeBron said it was the craziest thing to happen in his career. His son in the game. His other kids and his mom in the building. His wife and his mother watching her son and her grandson in the same playoff moment. The Bronny debate does not matter when the moment lands that cleanly.

Houston looked lost. Charles Barkley and the Inside crew called them out. Individual possessions instead of team offense. Amen Thompson looked elite. Alperen Sengun had his moments. Fred VanVleet is out. The injuries are real on both sides, and the Lakers still have a real shot.

Hold serve at home one more time. Steal one in Houston. The series gets to six or seven games, and with Luka and Reaves inching closer to returning, the conversation shifts fast. Title odds already cut in half. From 250 to one when the playoffs started to 120 to one after one win.

Durant is expected back for game two. That is where the real test comes. But for one night, with LeBron facilitating and Kennard raining, the Lakers planted a flag.