LeBron James has continued to defy age as he led the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets and to the brink of the NBA playoffs second round.

The 41-year-old superstar had 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, to go with his 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals as the Lakers snatched a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series in Houston on Friday night.

Marcus Smart had eight of his 21 points in overtime for the Lakers, who remained without injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves but also got great value from Rui Hachimura (22 points).

"Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we're missing," James said. "It's a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together."

The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.

The Rockets were without their superstar Kevin Durant (ankle sprain) but put up a big effort led by centre Alperen Sengun (33 points, 16 rebounds, six assists), Amen Thompson (26 points, 11 rebounds) and Jabari Smith (24 points).

In Philadelphia, Jayson Tatum continued to shine in his return from injury with 25 points and Jaylen Brown scored 25 to help the Boston Celtics beat the host 76ers 108-100 and take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tatum and Brown took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of the Celtics' 29 points, with Brown scoring eight straight late for a 96-92 lead.

That put some distance between them and a Sixers team brimming with confidence following a surprise Game 2 win in Boston.

Tatum was 5 of 9 on 3-pointers.

Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Paul George added 18 for Philadelphia, who were again without centre Joel Embiid as he continues to ease his way back into practice following an appendectomy on April 9.

Boston's 32-point Game 1 win stands as the outlier so far of two otherwise fantastic playoff games. What has stayed steady, the team with the 3-point edge wins.

In Portland, Stephon Castle had 33 points as the San Antonio Spurs overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 for a 2-1 series lead.

Dylan Harper added 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 15 points in the third quarter but clawed back with a 21-5 run.

NBA MVP contender Wembanyama was ruled out as he continues to recover from a concussion he sustained in Game 2 on Tuesday night.