LeBron James speaks about his upcoming matchup with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers finished the season with a 53-29 record, their most wins since Phil Jackson was the head coach. They ended up fourth in the West, securing home court in the first round.
For the second straight year, the Rockets finished with a 52-30 record, although this year that was only good enough for fifth in the West. They finished second in the conference last season.
Both teams lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, and one team will suffer the same fate this season.
LeBron James Talks About Kevin Durant
Offensively, the Houston Rockets are led by Kevin Durant, who they acquired in the offseason to help fix their scoring woes that were evident in last year's playoffs.
Durant was as steady as he's always been in his first season in Houston, averaging 26 points on 52% from the field and 41% from three.
Speaking to the media at practice, LeBron was asked about facing KD once again.
"KD has been great since he picked up a basketball. We know he's the head of the snake. The Houston Rockets have good players on their team. It's not just a KD team. It's a whole group. KD is going to do what KD does. We have to prepare for the whole group," he said.
LeBron reiterated his message in a follow up comment, saying everyone on the floor for Houston is a threat.
LeBron vs. KD
This will be the fourth playoff meeting between LeBron James and Kevin Durant, but the first time it won't take place in the finals.
LeBron and the Heat defeated Durant and the Thunder in 2012 for LeBron's first championship. In 2017 and 2018, Durant and the Warriors defeated LeBron and the Cavaliers for back-to-back championships.
In the 14 playoff matchups against each other, LeBron is averaging 31.9 points, eight rebounds, and 9.1 assists. Durant is averaging 31.7 points, 8,1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.
This season, LeBron and the Lakers went 2-1 against Durant and the Rockets when both men played. In their last meeting on March 18, Lebron had 30 points, five rebounds, and two assists compared to 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists for Durant.
Circumstances are much different going into the playoffs as the Rockets are healthy while the Lakers will rely more on LeBron due to injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.