The Houston Rockets kept their playoff hopes alive for the second straight game, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 on the road in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series. The Rockets now trail 3-2 after falling into a 3-0 hole; no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points, while Tari Eason added 18. Alperen Sengun posted 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and Amen Thompson chipped in 15 points. The Rockets remain without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has played only in Game 2.

For the Lakers, Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury, and LeBron James had 25 points. Deandre Ayton recorded 18 points and 17 rebounds. Los Angeles is still missing All-Star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured alongside Reaves on April 2.

The Lakers jumped out to an 11-point lead in the first quarter and led 28-21 after one. However, the Rockets dominated the second quarter 30-19, shooting 6 of 12 from three-point range and forcing five turnovers, to take a 51-47 halftime lead.

Houston extended its advantage to 76-67 after three quarters. The Lakers cut the deficit to 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left, but a steal and two baskets by Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets' lead back to 92-85. Houston sealed the win with free throws down the stretch.

"Big-time performances by everybody across the board," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. "You want to show growth, and I think we did that tonight." Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged: "You have to give them credit. They made shots tonight. We just couldn't make shots." Game 6 is Friday in Houston.

Source: www.aljazeera.com