Kennard scores 27, LeBron leads Lakers to surprising 107-98 win over Rockets in playoff opener

Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points while LeBron James contributed 19 points and 13 assists as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The Lakers capitalized on the absence of Kevin Durant, who was sidelined due to injury. The result gave Los Angeles a 1-0 series lead in the opening game of the postseason matchup.