Rockets Avoid Elimination Again, Force Game 6 Against Lakers

We definitely remember what happened in Game 3, and we didn't want to let that happen again, said Sheppard, who posted 12 points and six assists while battling illness. Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points and seven rebounds. A day before the game, with the Rockets down 3-1, he told reporters, We're obviously the better team, I feel like. Smith backed up that claim on the court Wednesday. You can't just say it and then come out and tuck your tail. You got to get out there and fight, Smith said. The victory is notable given that Kevin Durant has missed four of five games due to injury. Houston has outscored Los Angeles 514-509 across the series. James paced the Lakers with 25 points and seven assists in defeat. Los Angeles committed 15 turnovers, four more than Houston. Some of [our mistakes] were game-plan discipline, and some of them were just unforced errors, James said. So, we got to be better in both areas. Ime Udoka credited team development after his club's late-game collapse in Game 3 prompted sharp public criticism. Game 6 is set for Friday in Houston with the Rockets favored by 3.5 points. The Lakers, however, remain -295 favorites and a 75 percent probability to win the series.