ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 5/12/2009 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 5)

monica · May 12, 2009

GET IT!!!! like the first game...

larsv8 · May 12, 2009

Lakers win this one unless Odom sits out. If the Rockets come out and win again, then the series is over!!!

StevieCrossover · May 12, 2009

GAME OVER!!!

Little brooks going to penetrate tonight.

mandoo347 · May 12, 2009

if crawford isnt reffing
EZ win

HookemHorns1250 · May 12, 2009

Play hard, all we can ask for.

cjstukenholtz · May 12, 2009

StevieCrossover said:

GAME OVER!!!

Little brooks going to penetrate tonight.
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I think the Lakers will treat him like he's Tony Parker, like what Kobe said.

slowmustang said:

I'm expecting the Lakers to fully exploit Hayes. They will ignore him on defense and shut down the pick and roll with heavy trapping. Offensively, I see penetration since they know there is absolutely zero shot blocking from the Rockets. Landry is the only one on the entire squad that can influence a drive right now.
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I was going to say the same thing. In fact, that is the way ANY team should play the Rockets offensively right now for that very reason.

across110thstreet · May 12, 2009

Ron must play BIG in order for the Rockets to win this one.

diegot143 · May 12, 2009

Gentlemen, lets enjoy watching this hard working passionate ROckets team, bc few teams will ever play with the same passion.

sephiroth.hk · May 12, 2009

Let dorsey fight with dirty kobe!!!!!!!

Jeff Who · May 12, 2009

This is gonna be a big night. Watch out, they are gonna come out FIRING. We have to find answers.

RUN !

Rookie34 · May 12, 2009

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ...

Rockets!!!

Fakers 99 - Rockets 100!

Fang · May 12, 2009

Sprockets 76 : 129 Lakers

woket · May 12, 2009

Game is still winnable ... especially if Odom remains out.

We also have room to improve from Game 4 as much as the Lakers.
Artest, Landry, Von Wafer can still step up from their Game 4 performance.

We've taken their HCA before - we can do it again.

SuperVon · May 12, 2009

Im so excited! i missed the last game because of uni. Im skipping class to watch this game though! Looking forward to seeing Kobe blowup at his team haha

cst_chenchen · May 12, 2009

sephiroth.hk said:

Let dorsey fight with dirty kobe!!!!!!!
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I bet that Dorsey will blow dirty Kobe out.
Let's Go Rockets! Beat the Fakers!

<3myrockets · May 12, 2009

ScriboErgoSum said:

Obviously we need to win 1 more in LA to take this series. We could take game 7, but I think game 5 is our absolute best shot. Of course, we still have to win one in Houston, but I'm felling pretty damn good about that game on Thursday. Could it be a closeout game for the Rockets?

Odom is likely out, and even if he does play, it sounds like he has a mighty sore back. I don't know who has tried to play basketball with a sore back, but it is hell. I've played through ankle injuries and knee problems, but I had a strained back and could barely run up and down the court let alone jump about. I think either way, the Lakers are hampered in the front court. They either roll with Gasol, Byum, and an injured Odom or they roll with Gasol, Bynum, and Powell. I like our front court against those combos. Chuck, Scola, and Landry should be able to wrangle their fair share of rebounds, and I think we should pick up even more offensive boards. Obviously Gasol is a beast, but I think we can defend that group pretty well. Odom hasn't given them much offensively, but he's still a much better option than Bynum or Powell.

Phil will make adjustments to deal with the Brooks\Lowry explosion in Game 4. Still we have them a bit on their heels with this new look, and they've been vulnerable to quick guards all season. I expect the Lakers to pressure our young guards a lot more and to close out on 3 point shooters, but I expect Rick to be ready. Our front court should punish the Lakers with midrange jumpshots and open layups by sliding to the basket if their man leaves to double or pressure. Given time, I think the Lakers can adjust to this new lineup, so we need to hit them while they are still wrapping their heads around this new up-tempo, attacking version of the Rockets.

Surely the Lakers will play with more fire, but I think that could work to our advantage. If we play smart and hard and stick to the gameplan, we should keep the turnovers low, battle hard on the boards, and prevent the Lakers from getting open looks from their preferred spots. If we stay steady and poised, the Lakers will make mistakes. Kobe will surely rise to the occasion, but if we can keep the rest of the Lake Show from having a good game, this game will be there for the taking.

This team has a je ne sais quoi about them. I haven't felt this confident in or proud of a Rockets team since the Championship years. This trumps even the 22 game winning streak. There is a resiliency about this team, and I can't stop myself from thinking that they will find a way to pull a victory no matter what the Basketball Gods throw their way. Certainly this squad believes they can win, and that's half the battle. I don't know who the hero of Game 5 will be, but I know one or more Rockets will reach down and find another gear. Not since the 1995 run when a different Rocket stepped up each night have I felt absolute confidence that someone will catch fire.

I don't guarantee a victory, but I think this team is ready for the Laker's best shot now. Bring it, LA. Our team is waiting, and they are not afraid. Tuesday should be one hell of a game, and I am bouncing off walls with expectation.

Rockets win 98-84.
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i totally agree. resiliency is the key. we just grind them down until they can't do anything anymore

Rocket 914 · May 12, 2009

I think we need somebody else to get hot - someone like Artest or Wafer. Artest takes a lot of forced shots and Wafer can get off his shots pretty well. IF these shots fall, we might just win!

This didn't happen in game 4 but I'm sure the Lakers will prepare for Brooks and defend Shane better...

stonesc · May 12, 2009

i think rockets will lose this game and next game

EricZhang · May 12, 2009

If we can cut other Fakers off and turn the game into Kobe's solo performance, probably we will take this one.

Darmonx · May 12, 2009

I expect Brooks to be hammered and fouled hard by the Lakers. They will surely test his mental toughness via physical play.

Hopefully he is prepared for it.

Go Rockets!

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ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 5/12/2009 (Playoffs Round 2, Game 5)

monica Member

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