Doc Rivers has said that the Houston Rockets played like a "desperate team" in game five of their playoff series against his Los Angeles Clippers side.
The Rockets secured a 124-103 win to leave themselves 3-2 behind in their Western Conference semi-final series, knowing that a third straight defeat would have eliminated the team from the playoffs.
The Clippers coach told ESPN: "They were more focused. They played like they were the desperate team, and we didn't play very desperate."
The Clippers will have a chance to clinch the series again when they host Houston on Thursday.