Sep 4, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and forward Robert Covington (33) during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets upset the West’s top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers 112-97 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Friday night in the Orlando bubble.

Houston’s small-ball approach — no players in the starting lineup over 6’7″ — has been heavily debated, but the Rockets had a terrific defensive effort to hold a team featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis to 42.2% shooting from the field and 97 points.

After the game, Rockets star guard James Harden told the media, “You can be seven-feet tall, but if you don’t have heart, it don’t matter. If you don’t have a dog in you, it doesn’t matter.”

Offensively, the Rockets got 23-plus points from three players, with Harden leading the way with 36 points.

It will be quite a challenge for the Rockets to keep this up all series against James, Davis, and company, but this was a heck of a start to give them a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.