Last Minute Of Game 5 Was Tough For Jazz

Apr 24, 2019, 8:53 PM | Updated: 9:04 pm

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets goes up for a shot defended by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter during Game Five of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center on April 24, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

BY TREVOR ALLEN, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

HOUSTON, Texas – The Utah Jazz had many chances late in Game 5 to take the lead and possibly the win in Houston and send the series back to Utah for Game 6, but the final minute was costly as the Rockets beat the Jazz 100-93 and win the series 4-1.

The Jazz were down 94-93 with one minute left in the game when Rockets forward P.J. Tucker made two free-throws. James Harden then blocked Rudy Gobert’s shot and was immediately fouled.

After making both shots at the charity stripe, the Rockets had a 98-93 advantage with 38 seconds left. Donovan Mitchell missed a step-back three-pointer and fouled Chris Paul, who made his free-throws to put the lead up to 100-93.

Ricky Rubio missed a three and Gobert missed the putback and that was it for the Jazz and their season.

Before the final minute, Rubio missed a wide open three-pointer from the corner that would have given the Jazz a two-point lead with 1:09 left.

Game 5 was much more competitive for the Jazz compared to Games 1 and 2. The Rockets largest lead of the game was 12 points and the Jazz had a seven point lead at one time.

Royce O’Neale led the team with 18 points, Rubio finished with 17 points and 11 assists. Jae Crowder added 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Gobert chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had a tough game with 12 points on 4-of-22 shooting from the field and 0-of-9 from downtown.

The Jazz finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and exited the first round of the playoffs for the first time in the Quin Snyder era.