Lakers vs Rockets: the story explained

The Houston Rockets took care of business with a 99-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs. Lakers vs Rockets has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Zimbabwe.

Key facts

• The Houston Rockets took care of business with a 99-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs.
• Heading into Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers were in the ideal position to advance to the seco.
• The Lakers still lead the series 3-2 but it feels like the Rockets have figured some things out, and gotten more confident.
• Kendrick Perkins predicts the Houston Rockets will pull off the miraculous comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers and make NBA history.
• Perkins believes the Lakers “blew it” by not closing out the series in Wednesday’s Game 5 at home and will now pay the ultimate price for giving the Rockets confidence.

What we know

Going deeper, Heading into Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers were in the ideal position to advance to the seco.

On the substance, the Lakers still lead the series 3-2 but it feels like the Rockets have figured some things out, and gotten more confident.

Beyond the headlines, Kendrick Perkins predicts the Houston Rockets will pull off the miraculous comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers and make NBA history.

More precisely, Perkins believes the Lakers “blew it” by not closing out the series in Wednesday’s Game 5 at home and will now pay the ultimate price for giving the Rockets confidence.

It is worth noting that Lakers vs Rockets Game 6 will tip off at 6:30 p.m.

By the numbers

At this stage, Lakers Hit With Concerning Verdict Before Game 6 vs Rockets.

On a related note, the Rockets hit 14 triples, which was twice as many as the Lakers.

Going deeper, 4th Quarter- 6:44: Rockets by 11 with time now a factor for the Lakers.

On the substance, 1st Quarter- 5:39: Lakers take the biggest lead thus far 14-9 over Rockets.

What they're saying

“That was a must-win situation for the Lakers last night and they [expletive] blew it,” Perkins said on the “Road Trippin Show” podcast.

“We definitely remember what happened in Game 3, and we didn’t want to let that happen again,” said Sheppard, who had 12 points and six assists in Game 5.

“Believe Jabari Smith said we’re the more talented team, he’s not [expletive] lying and it’s showing right now.”

The wider context

On a related note, here are three takeaways from the Lakers’ loss to the Rockets in Game 5.

Going deeper, With the Rockets staying alive, the series shifts back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday, with all the pressure now on the Lakers to not be remembered in NBA history for the wrong reasons.

On the substance, LOS ANGELES — There was a “here we go again” moment for Rockets fans in the final minutes of Game 5.

Beyond the headlines, the Lakers defended well, and the Rockets again struggled to generate offense, particularly in the half-court, scoring 21 points in the first quarter while shooting 2-of-9 from 3-point range, and adding zero fast-break points.

More precisely, the Rockets trailed the Lakers by seven after 12 minutes and it felt lucky they were that close.

The bottom line

• The Lakers still lead the series 3-2 but it feels like the Rockets have figured some things out, and gotten more confident.
• The Rockets hit 14 triples, which was twice as many as the Lakers.
• Here are three takeaways from the Lakers’ loss to the Rockets in Game 5.