Check out the NBA TV preview on nba.com, 13 minutes long and worth watching. I like Brent Barry and Dennis Scott and the guy with them a lot better than any crew on TNT or ESPN. Especially what the presentator says at the end: "Who cares if they're elite or not, they didn't expect to be and are ahead of schedule". They give credit to Harden but more importantly McHale and provide some insight into why he lets James do what he does, learn from his mistakes and figure things out on the court.
so excited to be at this game tonight!! even without their big men, I know this will be a tough match up against the lakers.
This has all the signs of a trap game. Lakers in a slump, out with several key players. Rockets on a winning streak, looking to contend and prove themselves. Result? Choke-job by the Rox, even as Denver, Portland, and Utah are moving up the standings. This is a must-win for the Rox, but I don't see them winning it. Heart-breaker loss by 1-3 points, possibly in OT.
So, Max Kellerman and John Ireland are on ESPN LA 710 radio talking about the upcoming game. They both agree that the Lakers have the advantage tonight because Metta owns Harden on D (held him to 3-19 shooting) and HOU doesn't have anyone to handle Kobe and Nash. Also, HOU's frontline is no good so they don't need Dwight and Pau.
We'll see. You can always have one of those games where Nash and/or Kobe just runs wild, or where the one side is ridiculously hot or cold from the 3 point arc. There's never 100% guarantee in this league. But I think there is a good reason why Vegas has the Rockets as 7.5 point favorites.
All it takes is 1 laker to get hot from 3pt land and it catches like wild fire. They'll be chucking without a conscience and when things are so free and easy they tend to go in.
