Mavericks vs. Rockets Game 5: Time, TV schedule and how to watch NBA playoffs 2015 online

The Dallas Mavericks avoided the sweep with a win at home in Game 4. Without Rajon Rondo and Chandler Parsons, Dallas had to rely on J.J. Barea and Al-Farouq Aminu. They answered the call and now will try to replicate their good performance to give the Mavericks an opportunity to get back in the series. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, will get another shot to close it out early with a win on Tuesday.

Houston's stars have been as good as billed so far. James Harden is averaging 28 points and eight assists while Dwight Howard is controlling the paint, pulling down 12 rebounds and blocking three shots a game. Even the mercurial Josh Smith and Corey Brewer have stepped up off the bench. There's a reason they dominated the first three games.

The problem on Game 4 was the three-pointers weren't falling. Trevor Ariza, Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry went 1-for-13 from outside. The three-point shot is a huge part of what Houston tries to do on offense and when they don't go in, the pressure to score inside intensifies. If the Mavericks can prevent or contest outside shots, they will have a chance of extending the series.

With Barea providing three-point range at the point guard position and Aminu giving them athleticism and defense in the perimeter, Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler can focus on their strengths. Ellis relished the extra touches he got and went for 32 points while Nowitzki pitched in 16 and four assists on Sunday. Chandler contained Howard and a Rockets team that had been impossible for the Mavericks to figure out suddenly looked vulnerable.