I hope they don't. Rockets dont always give best effort vs. weaker teams. Plus I want to see a Lebron beat down. This is an excellent article and author really understands the Rockets Skill Ball philosophy. I was impressed. But you can also smell the fear. Lakers are trying to duck us in the playoffs. They are praying for Rockets to get to 3rd seed. And are willing to help is get there. What makes the Rockets so dangerous? Precedent, for one. They're the only team in the group to beat the Lakers at full strength, and they did so while test-driving their new small-ball lineup on the night of the trade deadline. That group has by far the most upside of any possible second-round opponent. After all, they have two more former MVPs than the other three teams combined in James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Out of all the “elite” teams, the Rockets play down to their competition the most. I totally agree with you—I hope the Lakers play their best lineup. That way, win or lose, we can have a better idea of what the playoffs will be like
