ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/19/2004 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

Sums up how I felt exactly.

I was pissed, but at the same time, Rockets showed that we could have, and SHOULD have won that game. Hopefully they'll be confident and take games 2...and 3...and 4....and either 5 or 6. either one. I'd prefer to beat LA in 6 here in HTown though.

 

We've played the Lakers for 5 games now, and I'm still not sure if all the games are close because (A)we somehow matchup really well against them, despite being the inferior team or (B)we've only been close because they've taken us lightly.

I think the next game will tell us. If it's (B), then the Lakers should blow us out of the building tomorrow. If it's (A), it would be another chance for us to steal one in their building. If the Lakers haven't turned on their "switch" before last night, they're definitely going to be ready for game 2.

 

we will win game 2

 

let's make the lakers fans have their jaw open with 40 seconds to go like in game one..he he he he..man ..i bet they were like scared to death with us leading with 40 seconds to go

 

Yao steps up with confidence and force.
25pt/12re/5blk

88: 83 Rockets

 

hey in game one we come short but this will be the one

jackson and cuttino have to made the threees to open the curt to YAO




Let's GO Rockets

 

Unlike you guys, I'm cautiously optimistic.

Rox shown they can hang with the Lakers. Now it's the time to take next big step, kick Lakers' butt in LA. If Rox get 1 in LA, I will be really happy.

Don't forget that Lakers haven't been themselves lately.

I just can't wait for the Lakers to go self-implode by all the internal problems and the big 4's distaste for each other, we should take full advantage of it.

Go Rox.

Rockets 120
Lakers 66

 

I believe.

 

Let's blow these lakers out so their fans can leave home early and go home to their kids.

 

Rockets 98 - Lakers 82

I expect a blowout!

 

I think it is pretty pathetic that some of you are still not even giving the Rockets credit for their suffocating defense...

All you talk about is how the Lakers didnt try and they 'just had a bad shooting night'.....you know something?

Kobe will and can go 4 for whatever again.....as long as JJ and Cat continue their stellar defense on the little Kobaby...

Malone is the only one that was wide open and missed....Shaq, Kobaby, GP, and Fox were all covered constantly by good defense...that is why the Fakers shot so badly.

we did it once....we can do it AGAIN!.

Lakers take us lightly? Doesnt that go against all of you claiming how different they are in the playoffs? They were different...they actually played DEFENSE.

but as good as Fakers defense was....the Rockets defense was better!

its just a shame that we couldnt get that last shot to fall....JJ has been money from there all season...and SF was unselfish enough to go with the WIDEOPEN man instead of tryin to force something in what yall call his his typical ballhogging way.

Sure....we started the game badly.....dozen unforced errors and turnovers.....Playoff jitters...ever hear of it.? They got over that and did a MUCH IMPROVED second half....cut the turnovers in half...and clamped down on defense even more.

btw....Yao will get plenty of chances to show if he can do something.......but if he goes across the lane and gets STUFFED twice in a row(Malone and Shaq).....and still lazes around and doesnt try hard....of course they aren't gonan go to him...someone has to makes some shots.....IF Yao isnt up to it...then I expect the other guys to do it.


We will win this one.....with continued suffocating defense...and (god help us) much much improved play from Yao....we can win wiht him not scoring...but it would be much easier if he hits his shots.

PLease Yao.....gut-it up and ram that ball down the Fakers throats...Im begging you.

 

If we can keep the D up, and hold the Lakers to similar shooting percentage, proving that it was US that kept us in the game, not THEM that allowed us to be in it, then the game is ours for the taking.

Defense wins Championships! Rockets CAN win Championships!

 

Rockets win .96:84
Rockets came back 2nd half last game and will go further in playoffs.

 

What YOF's are you taking about? You having a discussion with Xenogears, everyone else is screaming Go Rockets and you pull out this tired phrase? Damn, move on with your life and stop trying to box everyone into one extreme versus another. Xeno, give it up about SF, the guy is a star and the heart of this team, stop dogging him on every thing. He has his faults like everyone, but his positives are something this team cannot do without. You two kids need to go and play in the sandbox while the grownups watch the game tomorrow night

 

After game 1 I could not sleep until like 430 am. My heart was racing all through the night, and I got a head ache from thinking about the game. I had an anxiety attack after that game. I dont usually get those any more, but that had to be one of the most heart breaking losses that happend to me.

Rockets will come back with pride and win the 2nd game by 2pts.

Houston 89
Lakers 87

 

We believe!

 

Less than 24hrs till tip off! WHOOP!!!


Give me that WHOO WHOO!!!

I really do feel confident that the Rockets will win. JJ and Cat must hit their perimeter shots, and if they do. No doubt about it.....we win.

 

The Rockets must use their game from Game 1 to build confidence but they must also realize their mistakes from game one and fix them to the best of their abilities. They also have to realize that if they win Game 2 they'll be headed home for two straight games tied with a team which basically nobody has given them a chance against. Go Rockets!!!

 

I hate to be the pessimist here but I think that we lost our best opportunity to beat the Lakers by losing game 1. They played bad and I really doubt that we would play much better (in terms of our defense...our offense has never been good).

So sadly, I expect a loss in game 2 and a short series.

 

If JJ starts shooting like he did in game 1, JVG has to bring in Pike off the bench. It isn't like we have to fear getting burned by the Lakers SFs, the only time they score is off of kickouts. Pike should have been in there for the final play in game 1, as well as Padgett in place of Weatherspoon. As great as JJ has been all season, I don't want the game determining shot being taken by a guy that is 4-18 for the night.