ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 5/6/2009 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 2)

I agree that it will contribute to the success of the rockets, but you should have said keys. The other keys to winning tonight:

-Keep Kobe taking contested jump shots
-Don't let Gasol have a big night
-Artest taking smart drives
-Quality possesions (to get those, should be through yao)
-High Intensity for 48 minutes (play like we are down 1-0)



This game could put is in the driver's seat for the series, or give us just a small advantage to win going back to houston. I would much rather be up 2-0 and put the lakers in panic mode.

 

Crawford scares me, but its all gravy if we're even heading into the fourth.

 

Yes that would be nice, we also need Scola to hit his mid-range and Wafer to get on track

 

3/4 of the threes he took monday were contested, shot clock running down threes

 

Me, too.


I want to see this team going into game 3 up to and ready to put the Lakers into the ground for 09.

 

This is what will happen if we win tonight.

 

That's makes it even worse, b/c you know Crawford will want to be an impact in the outcome of this game if it's close. Already getting angry.

 

the lakers are gonna be coming out different tonight. the rockets need to play the same tempo..try not to run with the lakers cuz u will lose. scola needs to make sum open shots and lets see how yao plays tonight with all the praise he's gotten for game 1.

 

We're screwed. Yao will spend most time on bench due to foul trouble like game 2 vs. portland. NBA where we'll (stern and co.) send in reinforcement to protect our babies happens.

 

Things to be ready for:
1a: Homer officiating courtesy of Crawford and Willard. The Rockets' "physical" defense will be sending the Lakers to the line with happy whistles, and the Lakers will be drawing a slew of bogus charges.
1b. When a problem comes along, the Lakers flop it. Walton, Fisher, and Vujacic will lead the way trying to keep Brooks away from the rim by using the "shotgun blast flop" anytime Brooks slashes. My guess is that they will also front Yao and send someone behind him to flop when Yao catches the ball and turns.

2: Kobe on his A game. Now, there is hope here since Kobe only has one game this postseason with 50% or better shooting, and 10 FTA is the most he's had so far. BUT, this is the first time Kobe's had to answer a poor game in a solid loss so far. He responded to their sole Utah loss (5-24, 18 pts) with his best game of the series: 38 on 67% shooting. Those games were on the road. These two are at home. I foresee a very aggressive Kobe looking to make his mark on this game, and I foresee Joey Crawford eagerly awarding him a large number of trips to the line.

Rockets Keys:
1. Efficient scoring: We had it game 1, and it's paramount that we do at least as well in Game 2 if we want to withstand a Lakers' "pride" game. Artest can NOT go on a 6-22 McGrady bad outside jumper spree, nor can Brooks. Scolandry and Wafer would be welcome help if they can improve on their combined 17 points - 30 is a reasonable bar for a combined total, if not 40.

2. Poise: we can't let the refs, crowd, and Lakers' first quarter take us out of the game. We've got to be able to hang tough and make our push when they ebb. Maybe they win the 1st quarter, but we can't allow a big run or a 35-17 start. This is where frustration fouls happen, and where the temptation to launch foolish 3s happen. Poise and execution are the answers.

 

About game 2:

1. Rockets will struggle tonight as Lakers did in game 1.
2. Kobe Bryant will have a very nice game tonight while Yao Ming will be fronted, doubled, tripled...
However, HOWEVER, Rockets still manage to get the final win by 3~8 points.

Rockets 2:0 lead after game 2! Bad news is that Rockets will give up one at home. But who cares as long as Rockets are 6 in ?! (see my signature)

 

Let's go ROCKETS! BEAT LA BEAT LA BEAT LA

 

Add in that WAFER needs to get it going.

 

LETS GO ROCKETS oh man 9:30 cant come soon enough

 

Late game in LA, coveraged by TNT, it doesn't get better that that. Go ROCKETS !

 

The future teller predicted we will beat LA in this game too.
He has predicted our first round at 80% right rate. Now he said we will beat LA at 4:2 in second round. We will be finial game.

Link: http://bbs.sports.sina.com.cn/tableforum/App/view.php?bbsid=27&subid=3&fid=581652&tbid=6170

 

What pisses me off is that people think that the rockets played their best game in game 1. Its NOT TRUE! I hope the rockets prove all them critics wrong.

 

future teller???!!!
i hope he's right tho

 

I wasn't surprised that they won because they had the Lakers against the ropes many times before and if you think about it, our bench is much deeper. I think as long as Yao isn't in early foul trouble we'll take game 2. I love how analyst are giving AB his props, but some people can't see that the Lakers PGs can't keep up with Lowry either. Dude is a bully when he drives it and he's a great defender. Expect Kobe to get going early tonight. I also think that Ron Ron is going to do well tonight, just be happy that he had a great game 1, it could be an on-going thing for him this series.

 

How about Landry