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The Los Angeles Lakers did not just take control of this series. They did it in a way nobody expected and fans are in disbelief.<\/p>\n
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As the No. 3 seed with home-court advantage, they were already in a favorable position against the No. 6 Houston Rockets. But losing both Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and Austin Reaves for the series should have tilted everything back toward Houston. <\/p>\n
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It stripped the Lakers of their primary offensive creators and forced them into survival mode far earlier than planned. Instead, through two games, they found something else entirely – they found the hottest hand in the league, and it belongs to Luke Kennard.<\/p>\n
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Through the opening stretch, Luke Kennard has not just filled a gap. He has redefined it, what Luka and Austin left.<\/p>\n
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His shooting has stretched Houston\u2019s defense to its limits, his movement has created space that should not exist without primary creators, and his decision-making has given the Lakers a level of offensive control that seemed unlikely given the injuries. <\/p>\n
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It is not just production. it is presence, the kind that forces adjustments and reshapes how the opponent approaches every possession. And the result has been stunning. Kennard has been the Lakers\u2019 best player through two games, not as a placeholder, but as a focal point, exceeding expectations in a way that has shifted the entire series dynamic.<\/p>\n
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Game 2 brought another twist, as Kevin Durant returned, immediately raising the stakes and adding another layer of complexity to a matchup that is already evolving quickly. KD is a legend and should not be underestimated.<\/p>\n
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With the series now heading back to Houston, the Rockets are in position to respond, adjust, and potentially flip the momentum on their home floor. That possibility is real.<\/p>\n
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The Lakers have taken control early, but sustaining that control without Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves remains a challenge, especially as Houston recalibrates with more talent available. What looked stable after two games could become volatile just as quickly.<\/p>\n
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However, there is also no reason to be pessimistic; the Lakers lead 2-0. Historically speaking, teams that lead 2-0 win in 92.7% of the cases.<\/a> How could the Lakers overcome the odds so dramatically? There is one story to be told.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kennard once played in one of LeBron James\u2019 basketball camps, a detail that now feels almost symbolic as he lights up the court alongside him, not just as a role player but as a driving force. It is almost like LeBron is having two sons on the court. And one is having a storybook written.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like the comic figure Lucky Luke, Kennard is firing with precision, confidently and without hesitation, turning opportunities into momentum. And right now, that momentum belongs to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n