Injured LA Lakers superstar Luka Doncic watched intently from the sidelines as Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard went to the free-throw line late in overtime. Sheppard missed the attempt, prompting the MVP contender to bust out the stinky gesture.
Houston had a chance to close the gap on LA after Marcus Smart was called for a technical foul with 35.5 seconds remaining in the extra period. Sheppard, who averaged 80.2% from the free-throw line in the regular season, couldn’t convert, helping the Lakers retain their 109-105 lead.
Sheppard’s missed attempt was one of multiple instances in which the Rockets showed a lack of poise. After back-to-back LeBron James turnovers, Houston turned them into a 101-95 lead with 40.6 left in regulation.
Houston lost its composure in the face of what looked like an imminent win. Jabari Smith Jr.’s lazy pass was stolen by Marcus Smart with time down to 27.8 seconds left in regulation. Jae’Sean Tate fouled Smart, who attempted a desperate 3-pointer.
The former Boston Celtics captain drilled three pressure-packed shots to move Luka Doncic’s team to within 101-98. Another Rockets turnover, this time from Reed Sheppard, gave the ball back to the Lakers. LeBron James nailed a 24-footer to tie the game.
Alperen Sengun and James traded misses late to send the game into overtime. LA took control of the game by opening the extra period with a 6-2 run. Smart scored eight of LA’s 11 points to drag the visiting team to the finish line.
Even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers now hold a 3-0 lead. LA can sweep the series with another victory in Game 4 on Sunday.
Luka Doncic Also Mocked Alperen Sengun in Game 3
Reed Sheppard wasn’t the only Rockets player that Luka Doncic mocked in Game 3. In the second quarter, he mocked Alperen Sengun’s effort and movements while the Houston Rockets star tried to guard Rui Hachimura in the post.
Doncic has been taunting Sengun almost the entire series. In Game 2 on Tuesday, he also waved off the Turkish center who tried to score in a one-on-one play against Deandre Ayton.
Sengun played well on Friday, but he couldn’t escape Luka Doncic’s trolling. Nobody would be surprised if Doncic keeps up his antics when the Lakers try to close the series on Sunday.
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