NBA Playoffs: Rockets beat Lakers in Game 5, avoid elimination anew

LOS ANGELES — Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday night, trimming Los Angeles’ lead in the NBA first-round playoffs series to 3-2. Alperen Sengun had 14 points,