NBA Western Conference Semifinals Schedule: Houston Rockets Look to Even Series with Los Angeles Lakers in Must-Win Game 6

After being blown out by 40 points in Game 5 the Houston Rockets will be looking to regroup as they return home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in a must-win situation as they sit 3-2 down in their Western Conference best-of-seven playoff series.

The Rockets have been forced to play without Yao Ming after the 7-foot-6 center broke his foot yet with the smaller line-up Houston upended the Lakers in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2. While Houston looked strong in that game many questioned the Lakers and pinned their loss on a lack of effort rather than the Rockets play. That was all resolved in Game 5 as the Lakers dominated the Rockets with strong low post play from Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum and another big performance from Kobe Bryant.

Most significant about the Game 5 win for the Lakers was their ability to shut down the Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks who has posed numerous problems for LA. With Brooks in check the Lakers defense forced the rest of the Rockets to beat them and that didn’t happen.

Houston knows their game in the paint is over and will need to have a big night from Shane battier and Ron Artest on the perimeter if they are to have a chance against the Lakers on Thursday. That may come down to how well Brooks bounces back from Game 5 and if he is able to drive the lanes and force a double-team then he could hit Battier, Artest and Luis Scola for an open look.

Along with needing a nearly flawless performance from their starting five they will also need a contribution from their bench with Carl Landry, Von Wafer and Kyle Lowry making an impact. The fact that Houston is even in the series at this point has surprised many but the Rockets aren’t content with just hanging close, they want to force the series back to LA where anything can happen in a Game 7.

Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET.

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