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The Los Angeles Lakers are halfway to blowing one of the most unassailable leads in sports.
After jumping out to a 3-0 series lead against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers have endured consecutive losses, including Wednesday's 99-93 defensive struggle in Los Angeles.
The Rockets have momentum heading back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday, when they can -- improbably -- even the series and send it to Los Angeles for a winner-take-all Game 7.
MORE: LeBron James' historic 18-year postseason record broken by the Houston Rockets in Game 5
Houston on Wednesday joined a select group of 16 teams (out of 161 all-time) to force a sixth game in an NBA playoff series after dropping the first three games.
Four teams in NBA history have then gone on to force a Game 7 after facing an 0-3 deficit.
The Rockets are just the 16th team in NBA history (out of 161) to force a Game 6 after being down 0-3 in a playoff series.
Only 4 of the first 15 have ever forced Game 7. pic.twitter.com/FzK5bHI1Ks
Fortunately for the Lakers, no team ever has completed a series comeback from 0-3 down, and that would require the Rockets to win another game in Los Angeles against LeBron James -- who has lost only one potential close-out game at home since 2008.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, that first close-out loss for James in 18 years happened Wednesday night.
A complete comeback is still unlikely, given the weight of history coming down on the Rockets. But if Houston wins Game 6 at home, anything -- including an NBA first -- is possible.
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