NBA playoffs 2015 schedule: Rockets look to clinch series, Clippers host Spurs

The Rockets will try to close the series against the Mavericks while the Spurs and Clippers will play a pivotal Game 5.

Apr 28, 2015, 1:00 PM UTC

Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets couldn't finish the sweep in Game 4 but will be looking to put away the Dallas Mavericks at home in Game 5. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the Spurs will try to regain control of the series after losing to the Clippers in San Antonio. With a tied series, the winner of Game 5 would be only one small step away from advancing on the most competitive series of the 2015 playoffs.

After Houston cruised to a 3-0 lead, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle made adjustments and inserted J.J. Barea and Al-Farouq Aminu in the starting lineup. It paid off -- the duo combined for 33 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists, helping the Mavericks emerge victorious in a shootout. The win kept Dallas alive and if the Rockets don't close the series in Houston in Game 5 could find themselves facing a confident Mavericks team on the road in Game 6. What at one point seemed like an easy matchup could turn competitive in a hurry unless the Rockets come out focused and establish their dominance early.

Houston will need a good game from its guards. Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry have been asked to step up with Patrick Beverley out and have been inconsistent. With Trevor Ariza and James Harden struggling with their outside shot, the Rockets looked to the two point guards to provide a spark. They missed their eight combined three-point attempts, which gave Dallas an edge on the perimeter scoring department.

If the threes that didn’t fall in Dallas do in Houston the Rockets will clinch, but the stars are going to need help from the role players.

Things are not so clear in the other series involving a Texas team. The Spurs stole homecourt advantage and then destroyed the Clippers on Game 3. An inspired Chris Paul got some contributions from the bench on the next matchup and tied the series on a close game. The Spurs will now need to win one more game in Los Angeles to be able to advance, while the Clippers just need to hold serve at home.

While Paul has been the best player of the series, recently crowned Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard is showing off his versatile game, averaging 25 points, over six rebounds and three assists per game. The ageless Tim Duncan is also helping his team with 16 points, 11 rebounds and four assists a game while Blake Griffin is giving the Spurs' defense all it can handle. The All-Star power forward is posting a monster stat line of 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists per game.

The best series of the first round has not disappointed so far and Game 5 will be a must-win for both squads, so the intensity should be at peak levels.