What factors will decide the Lakers-Rockets playoff series?

When the Los Angeles Lakers' two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, went down against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, many speculated their playoff hopes were diminished and that a short series was inevitable. Three weeks later, Los Angeles currently holds a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets.

Several factors have contributed to the Lakers' victories in the first two matchups and could continue to influence how this series unfolds.

Houston's shooting woes 

The Rockets were without superstar Kevin Durant for Game 1, and their offensive firepower was clearly reduced in his absence. Despite winning the turnover battle and outscoring the Lakers 24-9 on points off turnovers, their struggles to convert shots proved costly, as they shot 37.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.

Pair that with the lights-out performance by Luke Kennard, who finished with 27 points and shot 5-for-5 from three-point range, and it could be easy to write this off as a poor night for Houston in their 107- 98 loss.

Durant's return was supposed to help the Rockets regain form, but the Lakers took an aggressive approach to get the ball out of his hands, often using double teams. Houston saw a slight increase in its field-goal percentage (a still subpar 40.4 percent), but saw a further decline in their three-point shooting, finishing at 24.1 percent as it fell 101-94 in Game 2.

The Lakers' defensive game plan rattled Durant, who accounted for nine of the team's 15 turnovers. The emphasis on slowing Durant puts pressure on the rest of the team to carry more of the offensive load. The Rockets have capable options such as Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr., who could step into this role.

How do Lakers follow up on their performance 

The Lakers caught fire in Game 1, shooting 60.2 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from deep. That level of efficiency helped them overcome 18 turnovers. Following a game where shots are falling at a high rate, it may have been easy to label the performance as an outlier.

Game 2 shifted that narrative. Though the Lakers' field goal percentage dropped to 45.8 percent, Kennard followed up his Game 1 performance with 23 points, Marcus Smart added 25 points and five three-pointers and LeBron James led the way with 28 points and seven assists.

Kennard has stepped in and excelled alongside James, and Smart is capable of maintaining his offensive production. The Lakers also have other contributors, such as Rui Hachimura, who is shooting 50 percent from the three-point line this postseason. The potential return of Reaves later in the series could further stabilize the offense.

The Lakers' defensive intensity is another key factor. Beginning in March, the Purple and Gold began to play with a renewed defensive energy, and that has translated to the start of the playoffs. Game 1 marked the first time Houston failed to score at least 100 points since March 16, the last time the two teams faced each other. Game 2 marked the first time since February that they did not reach this mark in consecutive games.

As the Lakers head to Houston for Game 3, winning the turnover battle and forcing the ball out of Durant's hands will force the rest of the Rockets to beat them, which could ultimately decide the series.