LeBron James, who has to carry the Los Angeles Lakers without Luka Doncic, leads 2-0 against Kevin Durant, the fragile first offensive option of the Houston Rockets, in this duel of legends in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Predicted to be cursed and losing after muscle injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers have won the first two games at home, and find themselves in an excellent position in this best-of-seven series before Game 3 on Friday in Houston.

Lakers versus Rockets, an opportunity for a fourth series of playoffs between two NBA legends, LeBron James (41 years old, 23rd season) and Kevin Durant (37 years old, 19th season).

Their three previous playoff encounters had all taken place in the Finals. LeBron triumphed with Miami against Oklahoma City in 2012, before Durant's two titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, against the Cleveland Cavaliers of "King James".

Durant missed the first game on Saturday due to his right knee, but made his return on Tuesday, for a 101-94 loss in California.

The two veteran stars were their team's top scorers, and continue to impress despite their age.

- LeBron's "toughness" -

Durant already had 20 points at halftime, but was limited to 23 points in the end by the excellent defense of the gold and purple, sending two defenders on him, forcing him to commit nine turnovers.

"I tried to make the right passing choices, but I feel like I'll need to shoot more often. The series is still long, I'm capable of shooting over two defenders," warned KD, who was nevertheless listed as questionable for Game 3 on Friday in Houston due to a sore left ankle.

LeBron James, for his part, shone with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, judicious choices and crazy energy, not hesitating to put on a show with powerful dunks, his signature since his debut 23 years ago.

"He brings his toughness like he always has," said his coach JJ Redick. "He loves to play like that, with his back to the basket or driving to the basket to draw fouls."

The Lakers' boss, in search of a fifth championship title, has managed to become the leader of his team again, deprived of its two best scorers, Doncic and Reaves.

- Waiting for Doncic -

Sidelined with a grade 2 strain in his left adductor muscle, Doncic still doesn't know when he'll return, while Reaves (obliques) is getting closer to the court. Every game the Lakers win increases the chances of seeing the Slovenian magician back in action this season.

For this mission, LeBron is currently perfectly assisted by two duty players, Marcus Smart, brilliant on defense and from long range on Tuesday, and Luke Kennard, a shooter who arrived from Atlanta in February and who must become a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

Redick praised Smart's defense and his team's "collective effort" against Durant on Tuesday.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka lamented that his players failed to capitalize on double teams on Durant: "We held onto the ball too much, they were able to reposition themselves and made us lose the numerical advantage" on most possessions.

"We have a problem scoring," he thundered again, targeting layups and numerous missed three-point shots.

He is counting on his 37-year-old star to remedy this.