[Rd2 Gm1] Houston Rockets at L.A. Lakers Game Thread

[MaxRider]

Round: 2
Game: 1
Date: Monday, May 4th, 2009
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Time: 9:30PM CDT on TNT










Tracy McGrady says: "It feels good to be out of the first round."

[Jaykoolzboy]

If we have any chance to beat the Lakers in Staples center, it's this game.

[hackle]

get'em boyz!

[YoungMoney23]

Not too fussed if we lose this series, I consider this season a success now but of course I like to win so GO ROCKETS!

[DEEP3CL]

If we have any chance to beat the Lakers in Staples center, it's this game.

Based on what theory ? That you beat Portland in Game 1, or do you feel we'll be rusty ? All that said it should be a good series.

[Baller 24]

Well I'm not entirely sure about winning IN LA, but I wouldn't rule anything out, we've been particularly good on the road using our defense, I think it'll come down to the 4th, but it just depends on the type of defense we play on Kobe, that's particularly been the case this season when playing the Lakers.

[HTown_TMac]

I just am hoping for a series like the Celtics/Bulls

[hermes]

congrats on beating the blazers guys, and good luck

[TMU]

[DEEP3CL]

I just am hoping for a series like the Celtics/Bulls

Problem is the Lakers aren't as old as the Celtics. Gonna be a good series still.

[MaxRider]

Well I'm not entirely sure about winning IN LA, but I wouldn't rule anything out, we've been particularly good on the road using our defense, I think it'll come down to the 4th, but it just depends on the type of defense we play on Kobe, that's particularly been the case this season when playing the Lakers.

Phil Jackson hadn't lost a playoffs series if he win game 1

we are such a bad road team this year
i doubt we are going to win one in LA
i would be happy if we can win at least one at home

[King Roosk]

Max I think you're selling us a bit short here. We have the talent and depth to hang with LA, but like Baller said, it's going to come down to how well we defend Kobe. If Ron and Shane can contain him (I'd love to see Shane make Kobe shoot a FG% similar to when we won our 22nd game in a row), then we have a very real shot at winning the series. We're clearly the underdogs, but I think we're best equipped of the remaining WC teams to take it to LA. I just hope our squad doesn't get complacent with advancing outta the 1st round because they now have their hands full with these Lakers.

[Teckon]

Just change my signature .. Joining the "Beat LA" gang

Battier:
I’m excited to dive in to the research that we have on the Lakers. We had some great stuff on Portland, we really did I don’t know if it always showed but we really had a good gameplan and Daryl and his staff did a fantastic job of getting me a lot of ammunition. I might need a lot of numbers and a lot of research on Kobe, Lamar and the boys out in LA but I’m excited to dive in.

Good to see we are utilizing Morey's research in our game plan - Beat LA game plan!

[Snip]

Ya we cant be complacent about getting out of the first round, we have to remain thirsty for more....If you guys check out their board, they are already thinking we are no match or even a sweep....these Fakers need to be put in their place

They are talking about who is a better team between Nuggets/Cavs..I think we can hang with them, we just have to play big like in Game 1 and 6 vs the Blazers.

ROCKETS 4 LIFE!!!!

[rocket_zoom]

- We are 4-0 vs Lakers this season, including the 30 point blowout in our first game against them and that was with a healthy TMac (not the gimpy TMac that came later in the season)
- Phil Jackson holds the record for the most NBA championships won by a coach (he's tied with Red Auerbach)
- We are playing against either the second best or best player in the NBA
- Gasol + Bynum > Pryzbilla + Aldridge ... it's not even a contest, LOL
- With Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum to guard, who is gonna guard Odom?
- Lakers just know how to get it done in the playoffs

Our best chance is if we can shut down Kobe and our team plays at a consistently high level the entire series. Our performance in games 2,3,4, and 5 were less than spectacular and we almost lost games 3 and 4 at home.

Realistically, Lakers in 6.

If I could dream though, Rockets in 7

[MaxRider]

Max I think you're selling us a bit short here. We have the talent and depth to hang with LA, but like Baller said, it's going to come down to how well we defend Kobe. If Ron and Shane can contain him (I'd love to see Shane make Kobe shoot a FG% similar to when we won our 22nd game in a row), then we have a very real shot at winning the series. We're clearly the underdogs, but I think we're best equipped of the remaining WC teams to take it to LA. I just hope our squad doesn't get complacent with advancing outta the 1st round because they now have their hands full with these Lakers.

i'm just trying to be realistic here
we have the talent to hang with them for the first 3 quarters
the problem been the 4th quarter
both Artest and Brooks needs to bring their A game for us to have a chance
both been real inconsistent

[RaoulDuke79]

I think I'm more concerned with Odom than Kobe(BLASHPHEMY!). I guess we will put Artest on Odom and let Battier defend Kobe? To me that's the big mismatch we have to worry about. We know Kobe is going to destroy us(most likely). How do we deal with Odom!

And I don't worry about them being complacent, most of these guys weren't involved with all of the Rockets' failures besides Yao and Battier(and I am never worried about them showing up ready to play). I'm quite confident they will be ready to go and will play hard.

I think we can at least push them to 6 games, but anything more is probably not very realistic. Then again, that's why you play the games!

[hayden]

Rockets in 4

[Snip]

If you are going to be a pessimist, can you not post on this thread!!!!

I BELIEVE!!

[rocket_zoom]

Rockets in 4

After we went 0-4 against them in the regular season?