Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James had high praises for Alex Caruso, following the reserve guard's instrumental performance in Game 4 against the Houston Rockets on Thursday. The 26-year-old had his best game of the series so far, dropping 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-5 from downtown, along with three boards two assists, one steal, and two blocks in 30 minutes off the bench.

The Lakers fan-favorite was instrumental down the stretch, as he put the Rockets away from good with a dagger 3-pointer late in the fourth to preserve a 110-100 win for the Purple and Gold. The win gave the Lakers a commanding 3-1 series lead and are now just a win away from returning to the Western Conference Finals.

Speaking to reporters after the match, James described how impressed he was with Caruso's fearless attitude. Per Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. 

“He’s a guy we know we can count on. Doesn’t make many mistakes. Plays winning basketball. I didn’t have one-second guess I was going to hit him in that corner. He knows I have the confidence in him,” The King said of Caruso.

The Lakers had the advantage for the first 36 minutes of the ball game but somehow let up in the final canto. Powered by a 17-4 run, the Rockets cut the lead to single digits and got to within five with under 40 ticks left in regulation. The Lakers needed a bucket to stop Houston's momentum, and Caruso delivered. He repaid James' trust, as the undrafted player knocked down a corner triple with 34.6 remaining in regulation off a nice dish from LeBron to push LA's lead back to eight.

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Alex Caruso heard about James' compliment and responded in kind:

https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1304258124409384960

Caruso has certainly not shied away from the spotlight in his first playoff run. The Bald Mamba might just be the Lakers' X-Factor this postseason.