Game 5: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers as Rockets stay alive versus Lakers
With a team-high 22 points on elite shooting from 3-point range, Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets to a pivotal victory in Game 5 at Los Angeles.
A few days ago, a late turnover by Jabari Smith Jr. was among the pivotal moments in Houston’s crushing Game 3 loss to the Lakers. In Wednesday’s Game 5 at Los Angeles, with the Rockets needing a win to stay alive and force the series back to Houston for a Game 6, the fourth-year forward made amends.
Smith finished with a 22 points and 7 rebounds, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44. 4%), as Houston pulled away in a 99-93 victory ( box score ). That team-high scoring total was boosted by making 6-of-8 free throws (75.
0%), punctuated by a pair of makes in the closing seconds to secure the win. With the win, Houston now trails the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series by a 3-2 margin. Game 6 is Friday night in Houston, with the game televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video.
Tipoff is at 8:30 p. m. Central.