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By Cole Sullivan
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered Sunday night’s matchup against the Houston Rockets holding a 3-0 series lead, just one win away from advancing to the second round despite being without both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injuries.
However, the Rockets played with urgency from start to finish and dominated Game 4, 115-96, led by Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.
After the game — which ended with both teams needing to be separated — the NBA took notice of comments made by Lakers guard Marcus Smart and ultimately fined him $35,000 for “questioning the integrity of the officials.”
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The league also fined guard Luke Kennard $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language” toward a referee.
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Smart was seen going off on referee James Williams moments after the game concluded — not the first time this postseason Williams has faced backlash. Devin Booker also vocally criticized his officiating during the Phoenix Suns’ first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both Kennard and Smart have played significant roles in the success of the Lakers throughout this first-round series. While the team struggled collectively in Game 4, Smart made franchise history in Games 2 and 3, becoming the first Lakers player to record back-to-back games with 20-plus points and five-plus steals.
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Game 5 will shift back to Los Angeles on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers will look to close out the series, while the Rockets aim to extend it and force a return to Houston.
More news: LeBron James Assigns Blame After Lakers’ Game 4 Loss to Rockets
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