The Houston Rockets managed to fight off elimination in game five, outlasting the Los Angeles Lakers to extend the series to a game six in Houston. 

The Rockets fell behind 0-3 in the series after their offense failed to get going in the first two games, LeBron James defied father time once again, and they had a monumental collapse in game three, blowing a six point lead with 30 seconds remaining and possession of the ball. 

In game four, the Rockets put together their best 48-minute effort of the series, winning 115-96 to avoid being swept. Game five was a much closer affair, but Houston played well throughout and managed to hold off a fourth quarter comeback by LeBron and company. 

Ahead of game five of the series, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr stated that he felt like the Rockets were the better team. 

Smith Jr had 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in game four, which was the most lopsided affair in the first four games. Coupled with the fact that Houston was 30 seconds away from winning game three, though it was Smith's turnover to Marcus Smart that fueled the Lakers comeback, Smith had reason to be confident in his squad. 

Houston proved to be the better team in game five with a 99-93 victory despite the fact that the Lakers welcomed Austin Reaves back to the lineup. Smith Jr backed up his words in Los Angeles, leading the Rockets in scoring with 22 points, including 4-9 from three. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. 

After the game five loss, LeBron was asked about Smith Jr's comments regarding the Rockets being the better team. 

"I don't care about sh*t like that, bro. The game is won between the four lines. I don't give a d*mn. Of course you say that. Why would you say, 'Oh, we're not the better team.' Ask one of the young guys that question. I'm too old for that sh*t," he said. 

James struggled in game four, scoring just ten points on 2-9 shooting and 0-3 from three. He had nine assists, but eight turnovers. His assist-to-turnover ratio was better in game five as he had seven assists to just two turnovers, but his turnover with 2:23 remaining that led to a Reed Sheppard dunk proved to be costly. 

He finished with 25 points, but his three-point shot has continued to fail him. 

He went 0-6 from three in game five, including 0-3 in the fourth quarter.