The Los Angeles Lakers head into Game 5 of their NBA playoff series holding a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets, yet the upcoming contest is being treated as a must-win.
The best-of-seven matchup will shift dramatically based on Wednesday’s result. A victory would clinch the series for Los Angeles, while a loss would push the Rockets back into contention and force a Game 6.
Game 5 follows the Lakers’ three wins in the first four meetings, a start that has put them one step from advancing but has not lessened the urgency inside the locker room.
Source: New York Post
