Story by
3 Lakers most to blame for Game 5 failure to send Rockets home
- Story by
- 3 Lakers most to blame for Game 5 failure to send Rockets home
3 Lakers most to blame for Game 5 failure to send Rockets home appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Lakers went up 3-0 in their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets , despite the fact that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been sidelined with injuries. The momentum that Los Angeles garnered is quickly fading away, as the Rockets have now won back-to-back games. Reaves returned to action , but the Lakers lost 99-93 in Game 5. So, who/what is to blame for their inability to send the Rockets packing?
Advertisement
Austin Reaves was rusty in his return
Reaves had been out for nine games with strained oblique muscles. It was to be expected that the undrafted superstar would need a little time to look like himself upon his return, but this is the playoffs, and Reaves’ struggles in Game 5 couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time.
The shooting guard who has averaged 23.3 points per game this year was able to score a respectable 22 points, but his inefficiency was detrimental to the Lakers. Reaves was just four of 16 from the field and two of eight on 3-point attempts. His aggression did lead to 12 free throw makes, which prevented a completely disastrous night for the Oklahoma product, but the Lakers will need more out of Reaves if they are to avoid a would-be nightmarish reverse sweep.
Luke Kennard needs to get shots up
Reaves and Doncic are relied heavily upon by the Lakers for their 3-point marksmanship. With them on the bench, the Lakers have turned to Luke Kennard . The three-time leader in 3-point percentage has played a huge role for the Lakers so far in these playoffs. He went five for five from deep in Game 1, and he knocked down four more long bombs over the next two games.
Advertisement
Kennard hasn’t hit a 3-pointer in either of Los Angeles’ losses, though. In fact, he was only able to get up two shots from beyond the arc in Game 5. Los Angeles had just seven total 3-point makes in Game 5, which was half as many as the Rockets. The Lakers not only need Kennard to make 3-pointers, but they need him to get them up at a high volume.
Deandre Ayton needs help in the rebounding department
Deandre Ayton had a fantastic night hitting the glass. The Lakers center collected 17 rebounds. Los Angeles actually out-rebounded Houston 41-34, too. Ayton had next to no help when it came to scooping up misses, though. A guard, Marcus Smart , was second with five rebounds. Backup center Jaxson Hayes and rebounding specialist Jarred Vanderbilt only combined for three rebounds, and LeBron James only added three in his own right.
That didn’t cost the Lakers this time, but it certainly could over the next game or two. The Rockets ranked first in the regular season in rebounding. If the Lakers are to close out this series, they are going to need more out of Reaves, Kennard, and their rebounders.
Related: Lakers announce new G League relocation, name change from South Bay
Related: Lakers rumors: The ‘tricky’ Luke Kennard variable facing LA in free agency
