The Houston Rockets secured a 99-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night, and head coach Ime Udoka emphasized defense as the foundation of the result, saying: “Really good defense. Anytime you hold a team to under 100, but 93 specifically, great job there.”
Udoka pointed to early mistakes but credited overall control, stating: “Outside of five early turnovers, took care of the ball, got shots, and just a lot of great contributions from a lot of guys.”
He highlighted bench production and Jabari Smith Jr. in one stretch, saying: “The bench was great. Aaron, Josh, Dorian coming in, contributing 18.” and added: “Jabari was phenomenal all night. Making reads, making plays.”
Alperen Sengun’s role as a playmaker stood out, with Udoka stating: “Alpi really controlled the game, to have 14 points and eight assists on nine shot attempts, I think it was. Really controlled the game.”
He emphasized Sengun’s passing impact in the half-court: “Best passing out of the post. He had some turnovers there, but overall controlling the game and just a lot of really good contributions from everybody.”
Udoka also addressed Reed Sheppard’s defensive responsibility: “Good. The thing is don’t get just blown by, make them go east-west for a minute. We can send a little bit of help, but in general all night, all of our guys were great.”
On late-game switching execution, he said: “Reed, we had him in coverage at times and then we switched him late, and I think him and Alpi did a really good job with the switching late.”
Udoka on confidence after falling behind in series said: “Yeah, we played good enough to win that game, but the next game, like I said, I think we had three or seven really good quarters in a row… And so to put that effort together overall gave us confidence.”
He also referenced his earlier challenge to the group: “Yeah, big time performances by everybody across the board… It’s just show growth in certain moments and progress in certain moments.”
Udoka on late-game responsibility added: “That was the message. This last 90 seconds, the ball is going to be in your guys’ hands, control it. Take care of the ball, but also be vocal, be dominant, and go get the ball.”
He closed on defensive priorities against key Lakers shooters, saying: “We felt he was getting a little bit too comfortable… I think outside of James and Reaves getting it going, we did a really good job on Kennard and Marcus Smart.”
With the win, Houston extended the series to Game 6 while continuing to lean on defensive pressure, ball control, and balanced contributions across the rotation.
