Three-point shooting will decide which side of history the Lakers end up on
The Lakers' three-point shooting has been the defining factor in their playoff series against the Rockets, with wins directly correlating to their success from beyond the arc. After strong performances in the first three games, their shooting collapsed in Games 4 and 5, leading to losses as they averaged just 24% from three. Poor shooting, combined with Houston's defensive adjustments and dominance on the boards, has put the Lakers in a precarious position heading into Game 6.
- ▪The Lakers won each game where they shot better from three; their wins came at 52.6%, 46.4%, and 41.4% from deep.
- ▪In Games 4 and 5, the Lakers shot 22.7% and 25.9% from three, losing both games.
- ▪Houston has attempted 69 more field goals than Los Angeles and outrebounded them offensively by nearly 15 per game.
- ▪Luke Kennard, who led the NBA in three-point percentage this season, is 0-for-7 from three in the last two games due to tighter defense.
- ▪The Lakers now average 37.7% from three in the series, closer to their 36% regular-season rate, after starting at 46.8%.
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NBA Three-point shooting will decide which side of history the Lakers end up on By Michael Duarte Published May 1, 2026, 9:34 a.m. ET When the basketball leaves a shooter’s hands they usually know when it’s going in. It feels soft off the fingertips, the rotation is spinning, the shot feels true. But lately for the Lakers, those shots have not been falling. In their first-round series against the Rockets, there’s one statistic that screams out amongst all the others: three-point shooting. 5 The key to the Lakers winning the series is simple: make more threes. The team that’s shot better from deep in every game has won. NBAE via Getty Images The math is simple: whichever team shoots better from three, they win the game.
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