Game 5: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers as Rockets stay alive versus Lakers

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.

Other key statistics from Wednesday’s Game 5 included:

• Tari Eason: 18 points, 5 rebounds; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
• Alperen Sengun: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 4-of-4 on free throws
• Amen Thompson: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals; 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 5-of-8 on free throws (62.5%)
• Reed Sheppard: 12 points, 6 assists, 3 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)