Lakers preaching importance of Game 5: ‘Have to kill them’

Q: What did Lakers coach JJ Redick say about closing out playoff series?

JJ Redick stated that closing out a playoff series is difficult and emphasized the need to 'kill' the opponent's momentum.

Q: How did the Rockets perform in Game 4 against the Lakers?

The Rockets won Game 4 with a series-high 115 points, showcasing improved defense and offensive rhythm, leading to 30 points off 24 Lakers turnovers.

Q: What is the historical significance of Game 5 for the Lakers?

Historically, no NBA team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs, and teams with homecourt advantage have a perfect 105-0 record in such situations.

Q: When and where is Game 5 between the Lakers and Rockets taking place?

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James, wearing a yellow Lakers jersey with number 23, gestures with his right hand pointing forward during a basketball game, Image 2 shows Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on April 9, 2023 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. , Image 2 shows Lakers head coach JJ Redick shouting and pointing during a game Lakers coach JJ Redick knows how difficult it is to close out a playoff series. When asked ahead of Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Rockets about the challenge of closing out a series, Redick was quick to provide a reminder that he was on the Clippers team that blew the 3-1 series lead to the Rockets in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals before eventually losing the series in seven games. But he was also on the Magic team that forced a Game 6 in the 2010 Eastern Conference finals matchup to the Celtics after trailing 3-0 in the series.

Lakers coach JJ Redick understands what it’s like to blow a 3-1 series lead when, as a player in 2015, his LA Clippers team led the Rockets 3-1 before losing 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals. Times via Getty Images Once a team’s backs are against the wall, their sense of desperation heightens. Holes that would’ve been easier to exploit in the series are either filled because the game plans adjust, or added hustle makes it more challenging to capitalize off the weaknesses. The Lakers just saw how difficult it was to close out their best-of-seven first round series against the Rockets. After decisively being the better team and , and taking advantage of the to take a 3-0 series lead, the Rockets left little to doubt in Game 4 at Toyota Center. They were more aggressive and physical defensively, a significant reason for the Lakers’ 24 turnovers that led to 30 Rockets’ points. The Rockets finally found an offensive rhythm and attacked the weak points in the Lakers’ defense, helping them score a series-high 115 points on series-bests of 48.1% shooting from the field, 52.9% on 2-pointers (27 of 51) and 40% shooting on 3-pointers (12 of 30). The Game 4 victory in was so energizing for the Rockets that on Tuesday said: “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.” One victory gave the Rockets life. That’s what the Lakers are looking to take away during Wednesday’s Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena – metaphorically, of course. “Well, you have to kill them,” Redick responded when asked why it’s so difficult to close out a playoff series. “It’s difficult to kill someone. You’ve got to…again, survival instincts say, ‘I want to stay alive.’ And so, you got to be able to kill them. That’s what [it takes].” Having generated the greatest 3-1 comeback in NBA history, understands the importance of Game 5 at home when the Lakers host the Rockets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. AP Statistics and history are on the Lakers’ side to wrap up the first round series, and do so quickly. Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, no team in league history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the 125 instances it happened entering this year’s playoffs. That includes a perfect 105-0 record for the team that entered the series with homecourt advantage. The Rockets are one of just 39 teams to force a Game 5 after dropping the first two road games and first home game consecutively under the 2-2-1-1-1 format. Of those 39, just eight forced a Game 6. And of those eight, only two forced a Game 7: the in the 1994 Western Conference semifinals against the ; and the Trail Blazers against the Mavericks in the first round of the 2003 playoffs. Most recently, the Celtics forced a Game 7 against the Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, but that was after dropping their first two home games and their first road game. Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. added fuel to the fire ahead of Game 5 against the Lakers when he told media, “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.” NBAE via Getty Images But all of those series ended the same: The team that had the three-game lead won. But the Rockets took the most important step in their attempt to pull off the improbable comeback. They won a game at home. “I mean it’s tough to play in the playoffs on the road,” said on Tuesday. “It’s just how it is and we saw that in Game 3, we came up with a great win, but Game 4, they took it up another level. I don’t want to say we weren’t ready for it because we talked about it but at the same time it’s tough and we knew that. They made some good adjustments, so give some credit to them for that. But for us, again, we gotta come back and protect home court and be ready for Game 5.” The Rockets will have renewed life in Game 5. And confidence. The Lakers’ mission is to ensure it doesn’t last any longer.