TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Rockets [Game 5] - Laker Nation

TLN’s Playoff Preview: Lakers vs. Rockets [Game 5]

The Lakers are back at home to play a pivotal Game 5 against the Rockets; it’s a three game series now.  The Lakers had an embarrassing effort in Game 4 and in the process missed out on a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead in this series with the chance to closeout the series tonight.

The Rockets were playing without Yao Ming unfortunately the only team to suffer was the Lakers. It was a known fact that Houston would be playing with emotion but the Lakers appeared to be sleepy or simply not ready to play. It looked as if the Lakers mailed it in, literally took the game off as if they could cruise to a win.

The Lakers came into game 4 as if they had an advantage not realizing that they had walked into a trap game. The Lakers failed to match the energy level & intensity of the Rockets and took a beat down.  It’s only right for the Lakers to play active & aggressive like an angry team with a sense of urgency and return the favor.

The Lakers didn’t play any defense and provided the Rockets with several open shots that they took full advantage of. The Lakers were destroyed by Aaron Brooks and the pick and roll play, there was entirely too much standing around on defense. It led to several open three point shots that the Rockets knocked down with ease.

The most disgusting thing had to be seeing the one dimensional former Laker Brian Cook inserted into the game, he piled on and was allowed to knock down a three pointer. The Lakers might not be a full strength but that doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is for the Lakers to regroup make the necessary adjustments and win this game.

The Lakers need to do what they didn’t do on Sunday control the tempo, control the glass, get back in transition, stop the dribble penetration and rotate out to three point shooters.

The Lakers have a size advantage and that needs to be exploited. The Lakers need to go back to the basics and establish Pau Gasol in the post. The Lakers need to focus on making aggressive moves toward the basket and attack the rim.

Tipoff: 7:30 PM PST

Television -

  • Los Angeles: TNT
  • Houston: TNT

Radio -

  • Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
  • Houston: KILT Sportsradio 610 (Craig Ackerman)

Injuries -

Lakers:

  • Lamar Odom (Back) Questionable

Rockets:

  • Yao Ming (Foot)
  • Tracy McGrady (Knee)

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