Lakers 110 Rockets 85 This one will be ugly from the get-go. The Lakers are one of the few teams who have the killer instinct. Don't bank on any comebacks. Torres on Kobe is as big of a mismatch as you'll EVER see in a starting lineup. Kobe will teach Torres how to say "I just got my ass lit up." Our lack of shotblockers means a field day for Kobe. The Lakers can d it up as good as anyone, and with Shaq guarding the goal, it's back to the "23 second dribble and shoot" offense we all know and love. Francis scores 20-25 points on too many shots. Cato gets 6 fouls in 2 minutes.
Kobe leaves at halftime with 24 points with a sprained shooting wrist and doesn't return; Shaq is ejected for calling Cato "Kelly" after smashing a dunk on him. Cato leaves the game crying; Rice lights up Fox for 36 points and Fox' wife leaves him; Torres is given oxygen at halftime (from chasing Kobe) and comes back out in the second half and torches the Lakers for 3 points and a rebound, showing flashes of Clyde the Glyde; Steve Francis passes to Mobley for the game winning shot, he misses and Willis slams it home for the win...
If Cuttino doesn't play, that puts Kobe on Francis. Fox on Rice, and no one useful on Shaq. I apologize, but: Lakers 98 Rockets 73 Francis 16 points 6-22 shooting 3 rebounds 4 assists 2 turnovers Sorry, but the Lakers may very well be the next dynasty, and I think this one will last longer than Chicago's.
