Western Semi-finals Game #2: Houston @ LA Lakers Game Thread

[The Skyhook]

This game reminded me of the game in Boston this season. Things got a little crazy during that game too but I think it awoke the Lakers. However they fell asleep but it seems like they have just awoke once again and are ready to play. Despite what any other fans are going to say about us being a dirty team, I really dont care. The Lakers aren't trying to hurt anybody, tonight we just played on the same physical level that everyone else plays in the playoffs. I hope this game sets the tone of just how we need to match up physically with everyone else

[Minhee]

Obinna LOL at your lame post. Your Poser Idols are still having nightmare running away from Matt Barnes. Kobe backed off???? I ain't even gonna explain cuz you clearly are delusional.

[Kilroy]

Lakers in 5...

[milesfides]

Oh fine, Miles... Come in at like 4am Jersey time and add the cherry. Classic 'fides in effect- Good to see you and good post.

I've been living in nyc and I can only watch the games in sportsbars (no tv in my place). I do feel immensely guilty about not being able to help out during game threads, though. But you guys are really doing a great job as usual.

[LLcoleJ]

Posers? Do realized Kobe trash talked Shane Battier (who wasn't even talking to him)

so?Says the guy who supports KG's trash talking.

but when Artest ran up he cowered away. Yeah, we are the posers.

Oh please. The fact that Kobe should restraint and maturity is now a cowered? Yeah, he should have one upped Artest and got kicked out and suspended!!

[what would jack bauer do?]

Does anyone else think Scola flopped pretty hardcore on that Fisher flagrant. I don't care how strong Dfish is, he's not strong enough to knock Scola a foot off the ground. Not even Manny Pacquiao could pull that off against a 150 lb fighter. I took a physics class once and I don't think that's what would've happened if Scola wasn't a euro player. Problem is fish headbutted Scola along with the shove so he deserves a suspension.

[hermes]

might have been a little flop action in there, but fish laid him out pretty good

[what would jack bauer do?]

yeah... and he followed through so it made him look like he was the hulk

[TylersLakers]

Fish hit him pretty good, but not hard enough that Luis Scola had to act like a land mine blew up around him.

I'm watching the replay here on Canadian TV on Raptors TV, and Bynum played great on the defensive end. In the early second quarter when Houston got momentum, he guarded Chuck Hayes. He stuck to Chuck Hayes and boxed him out every play. Hayes was pushed from the basket and it was actually Lamar Odom's fault for not putting a body on Landry, who he was guarding. Landry got an And 1 and a couple offensive boards on LO and it turned momentum in the game.

He also forced a Houston player into a brick around the basket where Sasha scooped up the rebound on the opposite side of the basket. That started a mini-Lakers run where Brown stepped up and knocked down a three. If only Luke or Brown the second time would have capitalized, we could have kept our lead. Houston called a great timeout after that Luke missed three-point attempt. After that time out, Gasol came back in for Drew and Houston came back from an eight point deficit to put Houston ahead by one. The only "bad" thing that Drew did was commit a hard foul at the basket to prevent a layup. I don't consider that a bad play. You have to sometimes take the foul sometimes.

I'll see Drew's fourth quarter stint when it comes by and I'll analyze it.

[TylersLakers]

Bynum had another great defensive stint in the fourth quarter. He fronted Yao on two defensive possessions, and both times it resulted in Rockets turnovers. They looked for Yao, couldn't get it to him because of the front by Drew, and Brooks took it into a congested lane where great help defense by Lamar Odom and Walton resulted into a turnover. Once again, same thing with Ron Artest.

On the offensive end, he didn't really get any looks outside of an alley-oop where Drew just mistimed his finish.

Drew got taken out of the game after a CRAP call where he bumped Yao from behind. Let the big guys play for christ sakes.