Lakers Throttle Rockets, 119-96, in Series-Clinching Game 5 Win
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets, 119-96, in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal-round series in Orlando on Saturday night. The Lakers have won the series, 4-1.
The Lakers (4-1) had progressively exerted their will over the Rockets (1-4) after a surprising Game 1 loss, and Saturday provided a platform through which to lock up a spot in the conference finals if they could keep their momentum. Los Angeles left little doubt as to whether they were up to the task when they jumped out to a 35-20 lead through the first 12 minutes. Houston regrouped enough to shave four points off its deficit heading into halftime, but any thoughts of a comeback were snuffed out during a third quarter that LeBron James and company won by a 33-18 margin. With a commanding 26-point advantage going into the final period, the Lakers cruised to a series-clinching victory in which they outshot their opponents by a 52.7 percent-37.1 percent margin.
James Harden paced the Rockets with 30 points, adding six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Jeff Green was a distant second with 13 points, two rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook produced just 10 points (4-13 FG), six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Ben McLemore and Austin Rivers poured in nine points apiece off the bench, while P.J. Tucker compiled eight points, five boards and two assists.
James led the Lakers with 29 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma furnished 17 points, four boards, two assists and one block. Markieff Morris registered 16 points, three boards and three assists. Danny Green finished with 14 points, four rebounds and one assist. Anthony Davis generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that also includes four assists and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope totaled 10 points.
The Lakers now await the winner of the Clippers-Nuggets semifinal-round series, which plays out its Game 6 on Sunday afternoon.
The Lakers (4-1) had progressively exerted their will over the Rockets (1-4) after a surprising Game 1 loss, and Saturday provided a platform through which to lock up a spot in the conference finals if they could keep their momentum. Los Angeles left little doubt as to whether they were up to the task when they jumped out to a 35-20 lead through the first 12 minutes. Houston regrouped enough to shave four points off its deficit heading into halftime, but any thoughts of a comeback were snuffed out during a third quarter that LeBron James and company won by a 33-18 margin. With a commanding 26-point advantage going into the final period, the Lakers cruised to a series-clinching victory in which they outshot their opponents by a 52.7 percent-37.1 percent margin.
James Harden paced the Rockets with 30 points, adding six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Jeff Green was a distant second with 13 points, two rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook produced just 10 points (4-13 FG), six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Ben McLemore and Austin Rivers poured in nine points apiece off the bench, while P.J. Tucker compiled eight points, five boards and two assists.
James led the Lakers with 29 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma furnished 17 points, four boards, two assists and one block. Markieff Morris registered 16 points, three boards and three assists. Danny Green finished with 14 points, four rebounds and one assist. Anthony Davis generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that also includes four assists and one block. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope totaled 10 points.
The Lakers now await the winner of the Clippers-Nuggets semifinal-round series, which plays out its Game 6 on Sunday afternoon.