The Rockets would not give in down 21 in the first half. They would not accept the loss facing a seven-point deficit with 72 seconds remaining or a five-point Lakers lead in the closing seconds.
Once in overtime, having come so far, they would not begin to let a win finally in reach – or a little thing like Eric Gordon's long-forgotten minutes restriction – stop them.
After not leading through four quarters, the Rockets never trailed in overtime, finishing off a stunning 138-134 overtime win.
Gordon scored 18 of his 30 points after the third quarter while James Harden kept his scoring run rolling, getting 48 points to key the win.