NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference - Semifinals
Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -2.5, Total: 218.0

The Rockets will look to keep their season alive when they host the Clippers in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Rockets desperately needed to steal a victory in Los Angeles in Game 4, but they were unable to do it and are now down 3-1 in this series. The Rockets shot just 41.0% from the field in the 128-95 blowout loss, turning the ball over 18 times and getting outrebounded 70-60. They have not played their A-game in a single game in this series and will need to come out with some intensity on Tuesday. The Clippers, however, are 6-4 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in their past 10 trips to the Toyota Center. SG James Harden is going to need to play like the guy that almost won the MVP in the regular season. Harden is averaging 5.5 turnovers per game in this series and has not been very aggressive either, shooting the ball just 14.5 times per game. He needs to get himself into an attacking mindset and carry his team to a victory. The Clippers are 25-14 against the spread in road games after having won six or seven of their past eight games over the past two seasons. The Rockets, however, are 7-0 against the spread after two or more consecutive losses this season. The Clippers come into this game at full strength, but the Rockets are without PG Patrick Beverley (Wrist), PF Donatas Motiejunas (Back) and SG K.J. McDaniels (Elbow) for the rest of the season.