KL Rahul's innings, which included just one boundary and three sixes, failed to provide the momentum required in a steep chase, as DC managed only 59 runs in the powerplay.

Crosby has to find some of his old magic to pull the Penguins off the mat in order to avoid disaster

Nobody was going to confuse this for a track meet. This was an old-school playoff game with a couple of old-school superstars in every sense; bodies on the floor, plenty of contested possessions and defense dictating the pace from the opening tip.Through it all, LeBron James was the steadiest presence on the floor, and it showed in the result. The Lakers won Game 2 of their first-round series against the Rockets 101-94 Tuesday night, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead heading to Houston.Here are three key takeaways from Game 2:Lakers' defense sets the tone, breaks Kevin DurantThe Lakers held Houston to under 41% shooting for the second straight game, only this time the Rockets had Kevin Durant back in the lineup. Durant looked like himself in the first half, scoring 20 of Houstons 50 points.But once the third quarter got underway, Los Angeles attacked Durant frequent and random traps, full-court pressure and aggressive doubles that came from different angles at different times. There was no pattern to it, which was the point. Every time Durant caught the ball, he had to make a decision under duress. The result was one point in the third quarter and two points in the final frame, with nine turnovers on the night. His inability to get clean looks made Houston's offensive scheme stagnant and ineffective. Some of that does fall on coaching; Ime Udokas rotations were lacking and countermeasures were nonexistent.The tone was set by Marcus Smart. From the opening whistle, he was all over the place. Two steals in the first quarter, relentless pressure on every ball-handler and a physicality that spread through the entire unit. When your team's best defender brings that energy, it becomes contagious. Houston never found its rhythm because the Lakers never let it.Alperen engns not doing enoughengn finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds but still cost Houston the game. He shot 9-of-20 from the field but 7-of-17 in the paint 41% in the area where he's supposed to dominate. He missed makeable looks at the rim that would have shifted momentum in a relatively close game.Worse, there were stretches when he was fishing for fouls and laboring through possessions trying to draw calls that work in the regular season but wont get called in the postseason. With Durant turning it over and the bench and role players providing next to nothing (besides Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson), engn is the one player capable of being an unwavering presence inside. He wasn't, and Houston is going back home having lost a game they won on the glass as they normally do. Fifty-four paint points, 17 offensive rebounds and 21 second-chance points all good for Houston. But engn specifically needs to convert around the rim and step up as the second-best player for the Rockets.Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard are true X-factorsLuke Kennard shot 8-of-13 for 23 points. Marcus Smart shot 8-of-13 for 25, with five 3s on seven attempts and seven assists. Those two also combined to go 8-of-13 from 3; Houston's entire team shot 7-of-20 (24%) from 3. The Lakers are shooting the ball at a different level than the Rockets, and it's coming from players Houston doesnt appear ready for. For the Rockets to right the ship in Houston for Game 3, someone besides Durant, Smith and Thompson needs to shine. Tari Eason shot 4-of-14. Reed Sheppard barely played and, along with Aaron Holiday and JaeSean Tate, the trio combined to go 0-for-8 from the floor. With Austin Reaves possibly nearing a return, the Rockets have to go back to the drawing board and implement schematic changes to get their role players more involved in the offense. Otherwise, this could be a quick series.

Wembanyama will always be linked to Duncan and Robinson, but after Sunday night's dominant Game 1, it was another generational star to whom he was being compared: LeBron James.

Geelong head coach Chris Scott has stated he is reluctant to speculate on the indefinite absence of small forward Tyson Stengle, after reports emerged the star has cut off all ties with a number of people within his inner circle.

The former Test skipper isn't taking no for an answer as he tries to get an absolute fortune for his Vaucluse pad.

Liam Rosenior wasted no time in criticising his Chelsea players on Tuesday night following their crushing 3-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.The Blues were outplayed by Fabian Hurzeler's high-flying outfit from the very first minute, with the Seagulls securing all three points courtesy of goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck.It means Chelsea have now lost their last five matches, with their hopes of European football next term hanging in the balance.Rosenior, since being appointed as Enzo Maresca's replacement back in January, has usually opted to try and pick his players up - rather than criticising them in public.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThat approach changed last night, however, with the 41-year-old appalled by what he saw from his players."That was unacceptable in every aspect of the game," he raged. "I'm hurting and I feel numb."The attitude was unacceptable. I keep coming out and defending the players but that performance tonight is indefensible."The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team... something needs to change drastically here right now."Rosenior also fronted up and accepted responsibility, acknowledging that it was on him to get the best from his players.He continued: "I am accountable, I've always said that, but after tonight, I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. You can talk about tactics, tactics come after the basics."I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we are seeing."Against Manchester United, the results weren't there but I felt like we'd turned a corner but the general attitude, spirit and determination was lacking, apart from maybe three or four of the 11. That is nowhere near enough for this club. LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Gary Neville's sister reacts with horror after fan abuses Man United legend in the streetPGA Tour sparks furious backlash after 'horrible' decision to change traditionPSG defender jailed for 20 days after driving double the speed limit"It's nowhere near enough. I can't come out and lie. I'll come out and tell the truth and that was unacceptable in every area."We can speak about a lack of confidence or results not going our way but that does not represent anything that I want to see and I won't ever see it again."The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there."It was a really, really difficult night - the most difficult night so far [for me] at this magnificent football club but also in my career because some of the things I was witnessing today I never want to see again."During the contest, questions were raised as to whether Rosenior had the faith of his players.Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was seen jogging back for Brighton's second goal of the night, much to the frustration of supporters.Rosenior, when asked for their stance, said: "It's not about playing for me."It's about playing for the club. It's about playing for the shirt. "It's about playing to win games of football. I can speak on what I saw tonight."You can read anything into it that you want, whether they're playing for me or not, but that performance in itself was damning. It stood against what I believe in."We'll find out (if the players can take that criticism). I haven't criticised them up till now. I've defended them. They've deserved that."But I will tell the truth. I always come out here and tell the truth. And I blame myself as well. It's not just blaming the players. I'm part of that process."Chelsea won't have too long to reflect on the defeat.They're next in action against Leeds in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday (3pm).As for Brighton, they'll face Newcastle away on Saturday hoping to continue their sensational form. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

BBC Sport has highlighted some of the most interesting kits which will be seen at this summer's World Cup. Pick your favourites.

The global protein microarray market is emerging as a powerful force in modern biomedical research, diagnostics, and drug discovery. As healthcare systems worldwide increasingly prioritize precision medicine and early disease detection, protein microarray technologies are gaining widespread adoption. These advanced analytical tools allow...