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How Ime Udoka’s screaming Reed Sheppard demand became Rockets’ biggest Game 5 moment
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- How Ime Udoka’s screaming Reed Sheppard demand became Rockets’ biggest Game 5 moment
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On Wednesday evening, the Houston Rockets kept their season alive with a narrow win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their first round series, sending the series back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday. The Rockets at one point trailed this series 3-0, but have since reeled off two straight wins, and are trying to become the first team in NBA history to complete the 3-0 comeback.
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Houston was in control of this game for most of the second half, but that lead was threatened when a LeBron James layup cut the lead to three with a few minutes remaining. However, from there, the Rockets would turn to Reed Sheppard , knocking down a clutch midrange jumper and then converting a transition layup to return the momentum to Houston.
Now, more information has come to light on how head coach Ime Udoka motivated Sheppard to be the hero in those moments.
"As Houston inbounded, Udoka screamed to Reed Sheppard that he needed to demand the ball. The 21-year-old point guard jogged over and received the pass from his teammate… Sheppard made a new memory that demonstrated why Udoka still trusted him with the game on the line despite his previous mistakes," reported William Guillory of The Athletic.
Sheppard made a costly error down the stretch of Game 3 of this series, turning the ball over and giving the Lakers life during Houston's shocking choke job in that game. However, he showed impressive poise down the stretch in helping close out Game 5.
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"After what happened in Game 3, we could've very easily shut it down, pouted and quit. That's not what we did," Sheppard said. "We watched it, and we learned from it. We keep fighting and keep giving ourselves a chance to play."
The Rockets will look to force a Game 7 on Friday evening back in Houston.
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Related: Who was the last NBA team to force Game 7 after facing 3-0 series deficit
