The Lakers appeared to have all the momentum after three straight wins—JJ Redick and his staff seemed to have cracked the code against the Houston Rockets. With history on their side (NBA teams rarely blow a 3-1 lead), Los Angeles looked poised to close out the series in Game 5. But instead of tightening the screws, the Lakers' offense has completely unraveled for a second consecutive game, leaving fans deeply concerned.
LA beat writer Ryan Lucas didn't mince words, calling out the team's "unpreparedness." Early in the series, the Lakers found success with double-teams, especially when Kevin Durant handled the ball. But Houston adjusted brilliantly. Alperen Sengun became the orchestrator from the elbow, shredding the Lakers' defense with pinpoint passing—racking up eight assists. The Rockets' offense looked revitalized, committing just 10 turnovers while dishing out 25 assists. With Amen Thompson and Sengun sharing playmaking duties, those once-effective double-teams were rendered useless.
The in-game adjustments didn't help either. Redick turned to Marcus Smart to run some plays, even with LeBron James and Austin Reaves on the floor. But Smart contributed to six of the Lakers' 15 turnovers. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard—mired in a cold shooting slump—logged 31 minutes and managed just a single point.
What should have felt like a decisive close-out game instead lacked any urgency or inspiration. The Lakers had a golden opportunity to avoid a trip back to Houston. Now, with two straight losses, they're the ones searching for answers. The Rockets, despite still trailing in the series, suddenly look like the team with momentum.
But fans are zeroing in on one glaring issue: JJ Redick's failure to fully utilize LeBron James. Many believe the head coach has somehow sapped the motivation from the four-time MVP. Over his last two games, LeBron has committed 10 turnovers and looked a step slow—unusual for a player known for elevating his game in big moments. As the series shifts back to Houston, all eyes will be on Redick's adjustments and whether he can reignite his superstar before it's too late.