HOUSTON — Desperation, and the Lakers needing to play with a sense of it, had been a talking point during Lakers coach JJ Redick ’s recent media availability. Redick knew the Rockets would be desperate to avoid losing the first two games of the best-of-seven first-round playoff series, a deficit fewer than 10% of teams have overcome since 1984. The Lakers’ Marcus Smart (36) and his teammates have a commanding 3-0 lead over the Rockets heading to Game 4. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images And after the Lakers beat the Rockets in Game 2 on Tuesday in Los Angeles , Redick knew the Rockets’ desperation would only heighten for Game 3, with no team in NBA history coming back after falling behind 0-3. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News : Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X , YouTube , WhatsApp , LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube , X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters : Sign up here!…