LeBron scores 28 points as Lakers eliminate Rockets in NBA playoffs
The Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Oklahoma Thunder with Game One on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
They are into the second round for the first time since 2023 when they lost to Denver in the West finals despite missing top-scorer Luka Doncic for the entire series.
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"For us to be written off a few weeks ago and win a playoff series is a big deal," coach JJ Redick said.
"In order for us to win we had to protect the ball, we had to rebound and we had to be physical, make them take tough shots," James said.
"I thought defensively we came in with a great game plan and we executed that thing to a T."
The Lakers used a 27-3 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead at half-time.
They led by 22 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before Houston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 71-55 entering the fourth.
But LA opened the quarter with a 10-3 spurt, with five points from Rui Hachimura, to make it 81-58.
Hachimura added 21 points with five three-pointers.
Redick raved about what James meant to his team not only on Friday night but throughout the season.
"He just has this ability to set the tone for the entire group and he did that again tonight and our guys responded," Redick said.
Barrett hits winning shot in OT as Raptors force Game Seven
RJ Barrett hit a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime as the Toronto Raptors pushed their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to a seventh game by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110.
"This is why you fight so hard to get home-court advantage," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy. This is the playoffs, this is what it's about. We've got to recover and get ready for Sunday's game."
The Raptors have yet to win in 10 playoff games in Cleveland, including three this series.
"We've got to be ourselves," Scottie Barnes said. "Do what we did tonight, play super hard, make it tough for every single guy out there on the floor. That's made an impact. Guys stepped up when we needed them to. It's going to take everybody."
Evan Mobley scored 26 points and 14 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell hit 24 points and James Harden had 16 for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points and Dean Wade had 10.
Harden shot five for 14 and went one for four from three-point range. He finished with nine rebounds and nine assists, but also made four turnovers.
