Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun sent a stern warning to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of their Game 5 playoff matchup on Wednesday.
The Lakers won the first three games of the series before the Rockets were able to take Game 4 with their backs up against the wall and force a Game 5. The two Western Conference rivals will now face each other on Wednesday night in Los Angeles in another potential elimination game.
Game 4 was chippy, as the match saw the ejection of Lakers center Deandre Ayton. Sengun, who has been battling Ayton in the paint all series long, expects more of the same in Game 5. While speaking to reporters the day before the big game, Sengun said he fully expects there to be a lot of physicality from both teams in this elimination game, and he said the Rockets are ready for it.
“Im ready I know there going to hit were hitting them too were younger we heal faster than them probably were just going to hit each other.”
“I’m ready. I know they’re going to hit. We’re hitting them, too. We’re younger. We heal faster than them, probably. We’re just going to hit each other,” Sengun said.
Alperen Sengun Has Been Money in the Playoffs
With superstar Kevin Durant banged up for much of this series, Sengun has been the one leading the way for the Rockets as they have taken a 3-1 series lead.
So far in this series, Sengun has scored 19, 33, 20, and 19 points, respectively, in the first four games, while also adding 6, 16, 11, and 8 rebounds, to go along with 2, 6, 5, and 6 assists. He has really been carrying this Rockets team during the series, and if they win, he will be one of, if not the biggest, reasons why the Rockets were able to get past this veteran Lakers squad.
Of course, it would be nice for the Rockets if Durant were able to suit up and play in Game 5. The latest reporting has him out for this big game, but it’s possible he could make a miraculous recovery and participate in it. The Rockets are certainly hoping so, while the Lakers would much prefer if he were out yet again.
Rockets Underdogs in Game 5
The latest betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook have the Rockets listed as +4.5 point underdogs for Game 5. Given they are on the road and are likely going to be without Durant again, it is understandable why the Lakers are the favorites to finish off the series. Not to mention, the Lakers play great basketball at home, and it is no surprise to see the Rockets head into this game as +150 underdogs on the moneyline.
That being said, as Sengun noted, the Rockets have a younger and faster team, and if they can funnel all of their youthful energy, perhaps they will have a chance to pull off the upset and make this a series again. If the Rockets can pull off the upset, then they will head back home for Game 6. If they win that game, then it will be a one-game, winner-takes-all Game 7.
It all starts with a win in Game 5, and we are to believe Sengun, this is going to be a scrappy game that the fans are going to love watching play out.
Alperen Sengun Sends Warning to Lakers Ahead of Game 5