Game analysis

The Rockets played a decent game tonight but the Lakers were just better. James had perhaps his best first half of the year and was clicking on all cylinders on both ends of the floor. To me, that was the main difference in the game. His performance offensively freed up the roles players for open looks and they capitalized. Rondo, in particular hit several 3’s while setting up Davis for some easy hoops at the rim. And their bench scored over 40 points tonight. Defensively we couldn’t do anything to stop them.

Speaking of defense, the Lakers doubled Harden to limit his touches and it worked out well. They doubled him randomly and MDA didn’t adjust. Great strategy. Meanwhile, it seems as though the Lakers figured out MDA’s offense. They basically played the passing lanes knowing the Rockets would kick the ball out for the 3. Again, great strategy. Sure enough the Rockets turned the ball over multiple times in the fourth quarter which swung the momentum in the Lakers favor. That was basically the ball game.

Individually, Harden played well and Westbrook had a good bounce back game, but his turnovers late in the second half were crucial to the swing in momentum. This, of course, brings into question of whether this type of offense can win a championship. While the Lakers can go small or big, but the Rockets can only go small. To me, that’s not a winning formula, and it became crystal clear tonight that we need a guy In the middle to protect the rim and defend against bigger players. The Rockets need someone in close games to grab some rebounds and makes some tip-in’s to take some of the pressure off the guards by helping spread the floor. That’s my two cents...