ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/18/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

Ime can’t draw up an offense to save his life.

we’re out here playing aau ball

 

When did they allow braindead coaches to have phones on the sideline?

 

Gotta hit open shots. Dang it

 

Jabari is a very limited player. If his shot doesn’t fall, he has nothing else to give.

 

Alpi needs to be down the block instead of initiating from the three point line. All he's doing is forcing all the Laker players to be defending the rest who are also outside the three point line. We won't get open shots with him initiating outside the post

 

I still don’t see how we can win this game

 

I blame rockets media for getting jalen traded, we could have been patient... idk why we decided to keep old azz fred.

 

That failed 3 on 1 fastbreak led by Jabari was one of the worst i have ever seen.

 

yeah, he's 3-9

 

rockets play their worst basketball on national TV. this is awful.

put in Holiday and reed together.

 

Im one of the biggest Kerr despisers around but this is something he really understands. It really shows in that everybody gets to eat on the team. Where even less talented players can become disruptive due to the movement that creates better looks in momentum.

 

lol back down from half court

 

Kennard could have been a nice get for Houston.

Smart shot selection, steady safe swing passes, nothing flashy needed. Just a shot making high IQ perimeter guard

 

He needs to be aggressive offensively or he needs to sit.

 

Alp is eating too much clock doing nothing

 

JO still had a wide open layup.

 

So difficult when you have 3 guys who he defense doesnt respect from 3. Guys are open every possession….but our personnel doesn’t knock those down

 

agreed, that time you were right

but if you're having to pick plays and post them its not that frequent

meanwhile best defender josh missed a 3 on 1 layup and then gave up a 3 , 5 pt swing.

Gotta be consistent

On offense they don't really guard him, so when teams double senguin or durant because dude is a defensive threat only its just as if not more of a negative (offense driven league)

 

Lakers have Luke kennard as the best shooter and the rockets recklessly close out to leave him wide open… what kinda of trash defense is this. Let those other guys shoot…

 

Funny, I was just thinking the same thing. On this last play before the tie up he was fouled, but nothing.