The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets meet in a pivotal Game 5 of the first-round series on Wednesday. The Lakers missed a chance to complete a sweep and now return home with an opportunity to close out the series. If LA finishes the job at Crypto.com Arena, they will advance to the second round and set up a showdown with the top-seeded OKC Thunder. If Houston responds, the series will head back to Texas for Game 6 on Friday.
The Lakers not only have the edge in the series but also in Game 5 history, with a 59-41 record, while the Rockets are 6-9, making this another exciting clash between experience and youth.
Tipoff for Game 5 is scheduled for 10 PM ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Odds
Moneyline: Rockets (+150) vs Lakers (-180)
Spread: Rockets +4.5 (-114) vs Lakers -4.5 (-106)
Total (O/U): Rockets o208.5 (-107) vs Lakers u208.5 (-112)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Preview
The Lakers had a chance to close out their first-round series up 4-0 on the road in Game 4, but instead played their worst game of the playoffs so far, losing 115-96. The Lakers were incredibly sloppy throughout the game. They allowed the Rockets to dominate on the boards, and their poor offensive play ultimately let Houston extend the series.
Deandre Ayton led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds before being ejected in the third quarter. Meanwhile, LeBron James struggled, finishing with 10 points and nine assists while shooting 2-for-9 from the field and 0-for-3 from three. Rookie Adou Thiero also controversially got ejected late in the game.
As for the Rockets, they finally have some wind in their sails after going down 3-0. From the tipoff, they were ready and flat out dominated the Lakers. An important factor in their success was how well their shots were falling and how they turned turnovers into points, building an early lead of 16 points in the first quarter.
All their starters also scored in double figures, led by Amen Thompson with 23 points. Tari Eason, who struggled in Game 3, had the second-highest total on the team with 20 points along with eight rebounds. Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. also contributed strongly with 19, 17 and 16 points respectively.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Injury Reports
Houston Rockets Injury Report
The Rockets ruled Kevin Durant out with a nagging ankle injury.
LA Lakers Injury Report
As for the Lakers, they might get a massive boost as Austin Reaves is trending in the right direction to return after a two-week absence with an oblique muscle strain. He is listed as questionable, but a final decision will be made before tipoff.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic remains out with a hamstring injury.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Starting Lineups
Rockets
PG: Amen Thompson, SG: Reed Sheppard, SF: Tari Eason, PF: Jabari Smith Jr., C: Alperen Sengun
Lakers
PG: Luke Kennard, SG: Marcus Smart, SF: Rui Hachimura, PF: LeBron James, C: Deandre Ayton
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Prediction
Can LA’s veteran savvy really slow down Houston’s youth? Given the result of the last game, it’s probably fair to expect the Rockets to extend the series, but the Lakers’ experience tends to show up when the season is on the line. LA is a 4.5-point favorite, expect them to cover the spread where the total points set at 208.
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