The Lakers looked home early in this series, but Houston has stormed back with two straight wins and now returns home with a chance to force a Game 7.<\/p>\n
It was 3-0 Lakers \u2014 now we\u2019re back in Houston with all the momentum on the Rockets\u2019 side.<\/p>\n
Austin Reaves returns for LA, while Kevin Durant remains out for Houston, but that didn\u2019t slow them in Game 5. With Ime Udoka tightening the rotation, the Rockets are well placed to square the series.<\/p>\n
Hachimura continues to log heavy minutes and that won\u2019t change in a closeout game.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s averaging 14.8 points this series and has hit double figures in all five games.<\/p>\n
Across his last 13 games, he\u2019s cleared 10+ in 12 of them. With around 40 minutes expected, he should get there again.<\/p>\n
Reaves\u2019 return may lower usage slightly, but Smart\u2019s role as a facilitator remains intact.<\/p>\n
Despite only two assists in Game 5, he recorded 3+ assists in the previous four games alongside LeBron and Reaves, including two games with 6+.<\/p>\n
He should bounce back here.<\/p>\n
With Durant out, Sheppard\u2019s minutes and responsibility increase significantly.<\/p>\n
He averages 5.3 assists without KD and has hit 4+ in seven of eight games in that scenario.<\/p>\n
He had six assists in Game 5 and should be heavily involved again.<\/p>\n