Lakers fall to Rockets in Game 5 despite Austin Reaves’ return
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Lakers fall to Rockets in Game 5 despite Austin Reaves’ return
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James in a purple Lakers jersey driving to the basket with a defender guarding him, Image 2 shows Alperen Sengun shooting a basketball over Rui Hachimura, Image 3 shows Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers in a purple jersey, number 10, shrugging his shoulders with a frustrated expression
And very much alive and confident after beating theLakers99-93on the Lakers homecourtin a pivotal Game 5 to extend the best-of-seven first round playoff series by at least one more game, with the series shifting back toHoustonwith the Lakers leading 3-2.
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"You gotta give them a lot of credit," coachJJ Redicksaid. "They made shots, including some guys who normally don't make 3s. Our defense, you hope 99 is enough to win, and we just couldn't make shots. Missed some layups. Certainly had some good looks from 3 that didn't go down. But we'll take a look at the whole process, take a look at the substitution patterns and figure out where we can be better in Game 6."
Even with star guardAustin Reaves making his returnto the lineup after being sidelined since April because of a left oblique strain, the Lakers once again struggled offensively for the second consecutive – and 2 ½ games going back to the miraculousGame 3 comeback victory in Houston.
Austin Reaves drives to the basket against the Rockets. AP
Reaves finished with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes in his first game since suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain inthe April 2 loss to the Thunder, but struggled with his shooting and finishing, going 4 of 16 from the field. He made 12 of his 13 free throws.
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"I missed a lot of easy looks," Reaves said. "We didn't shoot it great as a team. We'll watch film [on Thursday], get better. We'll go try to win a game Friday."
LeBron Jamesled the Lakers with 25 points and 7 rebounds, but missed a pull-up 3 with 12 seconds left that would've cut the team's deficit to one point.
"Take care of basketball, we've been through this," Smart said. "We understand this team and how they play, and they're very aggressive and we got to take care of basketball. Myself, I had six turnovers and that's unacceptable for me, especially with only two assists. Especially against this team. So we definitely got to take care of the ball. We got to do a better job, all of us, and collectively, and that'll help us for sure."
Jabari Smithled the Rockets with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of blocked shots.
Alperen Sengun puts up a hook shot in the paint. AP
What it means
The Rockets are one of just nine teams to force a Game 6 after dropping the first two road games and first home game consecutively under the 2-2-1-1-1 playoff format since the league went to a 16-game playoffs in 1984.
Of the previous eight teams, only two have forced a Game 7.
Overall, the Rockets are the 16th team in NBA history to force a Game 6 after trailing 0-3 in a playoff series.
Luke Kennard reacts to a foul call. Getty Images
Turning point
When Smart overhelped offAmen Thompsonin the left corner on aReed Shepparddrive to the late in the shot, opening up a drive-and-kick opporunity that the Rockets took advantage of, with Thompson making the corner 3 to put the Rockets up 79-69 early in the fourth.
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After Reaves missed a layup on the Lakers' ensuing possession, Jabari Smith hit another to put the Rockets up by a game-best 13 points.
The Lakers kept the game close but didn't cut their deficit to any closer than three points.
