Rockets Aim to Stay Alive Against Lakers in Game 5
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Win or Go Home. Deja Hou.
“When you come to the end of the line with a buddy who is more than a brother, and a little less than a wife, getting blind drunk together is really the only way to say farewell.” A quote from Quentin Tarantino’s latest effort, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. And if the Rockets want any chance of making a comeback against the NBA’s most Hollywood-ish franchise, they need to forget about their system. Get blind drunk. Small ball won’t work if the right decisions aren’t made, if the efforts not there.
Game 5 comes down to whoever wants it more, and Houston has to play like the hungrier team. Danuel House Jr. is out for the season, so the Rockets’ task won’t be any easier. Houston simply needs to play smarter basketball. And James Harden can’t have zero shot attempts in the fourth quarter. That’s inexcusable for the NBA’s back-to-back-to-back scoring Champion.
Most people have written Houston off the map after they fell behind 3-1 in the series after getting their spirit drained by L.A. in Game 4. It’s not impossible. Despite the mountainous task awaiting Houston, the Rockets had chances to win the first three games. Late-game execution is why Houston has their backs against the wall now, for the remainder of this series, however long it lasts. Hopefully, the Rockets play with the heart of a Champion and fight back for a victory to stay alive. Only two teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit in the second round in NBA Playoff history. Those teams? The 1995 Houston Rockets, and the 2015 Houston Rockets. It’s time for a little Deja-Hou. Harden and the Rockets can begin their journey to join that list with a dominant win in Game 5. The comeback begins tonight… or I’m blind drunk.
AdventHealth Arena: Orlando, Florida
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (1-3): Black
Los Angeles Lakers (3-1): White
TV: 7 PM CT – ESPN