Overview
- The 99-93 road win Wednesday in Los Angeles trimmed the series to 3-2 and sent it back to Houston for Friday’s Game 6 on Prime Video.
- Injuries continue to shape the matchup: Kevin Durant remains sidelined by a left ankle sprain and bone bruise and is unlikely for Game 6, while the Lakers are still without Luka Dončić as Austin Reaves returns from an oblique strain.
- Turnovers and cold shooting have stalled L.A., which committed 15 giveaways in Game 5 and went 12-for-49 from three over Games 4 and 5.
- Houston spread the points with all five starters in double figures, led by Jabari Smith Jr. with 22, while LeBron James had 25 for L.A., Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 17 rebounds, and Reaves scored 22 on 4-of-16 shooting.
- No NBA team has ever won a series after trailing 0-3, and a Rockets victory Friday would force a Game 7 on Sunday in Los Angeles.