LeBron James admits 'I don't feel good,' but that's exactly why Lakers on brink of sweep

Houston, playing without Kevin Durant for the second time in the three games due to a sprained ankle, still had control late. The Rockets turned consecutive LeBron turnovers into a 101-95 lead with under a minute to go. It felt like their moment.

Then it wasn’t.

Marcus Smart got fouled on a three and buried all three free throws. James followed with a steal and that deep triple to tie it. Overtime belonged to the Lakers.

Smart delivered eight points in the extra session and finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Rui Hachimura added 22. Los Angeles opened OT on a 6-2 burst and never gave it back.

Of course, all of this is happening without the injured Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, making it all that much more impressive.

Alperen Sengun tried to will Houston home with 33 points and 16 rebounds, while Amen Thompson added 26 and 11. It wasn’t enough.

Sengun missed a late look in regulation. LeBron missed at the buzzer. The Lakers made sure it didn’t matter.

They look exhausted. They also look inevitable against the Rockets.