With or without Kevin Durant, Rockets’ offensive approach must be better vs. Lakers

LOS ANGELES — Once it became official that Kevin Durant would not suit up on Saturday night, it was a foregone conclusion that the Rockets would take a step back on offense. Maybe even two.But it was much worse than expected.Without Durant, Houston’s offense fell off a cliff, helping fuel the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 victory over the Rockets in Game 1 of what’s already become one of the most odd first-round series in this year’s playoffs.Advertisement