Lakers fall to Rockets in Game 5 despite Austin Reaves’ return

The Lakers’ mission was to take the Rockets’ postseason life away.

But the Rockets are still breathing.

And very much alive and confident after beating the Lakers 99-93 on the Lakers homecourt in a pivotal Game 5 to extend the best-of-seven first round playoff series by at least one game.

Even with star guard Austin Reaves making his return to 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 miraculous Game 3 comeback victory in Houston.

Reaves finished with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes in his first game since suffering a Grade oblique strain in the April 2 loss to the Thunder, but struggled with his shooting and finishing, going 4 of 16 from the field.

LeBron James led 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.

Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 17 rebounds.

Jabari Smith led the Rockets with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of blocked shots.

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.

Turning point

When Smart overhelped off Amen Thompson in the left corner on a Reed Sheppard drive 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.

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.