The Los Angeles Lakers weren’t given much of a chance going into their first-round series against the Houston Rockets with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries. The Lakers were the biggest underdogs of any team outside of the eight seeds, and they had home-court advantage in the series.
The Lakers completely flipped the script by winning the first three games though, putting themselves in position to sweep and advance to the second round despite being without their two leading scorers.
Unfortunately, the Lakers weren’t able to bring out the brooms as they were blown out by the Rockets in Game 4 in Houston to extend the series. After coming back to win Game 3 in overtime, the Lakers looked to be playing with some tired legs and the Rockets took advantage as they clearly were playing with more desperation.
A sweep was unrealistic all along, but the Lakers are still in control of the series as they return to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5, where they won Games 1 and 2 on their home floor.
At the start of the playoffs, the NBA only announced the schedule and TV information for the first four games of every series. That allows them to move some things around if certain series’ end earlier than others.
While some rest to get both Doncic and Reaves healthy, as well as the other veterans off their feet, would have been ideal, the Lakers still have to take care of business with one more win against the Rockets.
It won’t be easy as Houston will now have some confidence after the dominant Game 4 win at home. They have also been missing one of their stars in Kevin Durant and considering Game 5 isn’t until Wednesday, he may be able to give it a go and return to the lineup. The same could be said for Reaves as both he and Durant were questionable for Games 3 and 4 before ultimately being ruled out.
Now that the series has been extended, the NBA announced the schedule and TV info for Game 5 between the Lakers and Rockets. If it is up to the Lakers, they will close things out on Wednesday night as they surely would love to avoid flying back to Houston for a Game 6.
Rockets vs. Lakers playoff schedule & TV info
Game 5: Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m. PT, ESPN, Crypto.com Arena
Game 6*: Friday, May 1, TBD, Toyota Center
Game 7*: Sunday, May 3, TBD, Crypto.com Arena
*If necessary
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