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Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:13 am
by KobeMVP888
(11-23)Image at Image(25-9)

Sunday, December 31, 2017, 4:00 PM PDT
Toyota Center • Houston, TX

Referees: John Goble (#30), Tyler Ford (#39), Leon Wood (#40)

Replay Center: Matt Boland, Kevin Cutler, Kane Fitzgerald

Line: Rockets -15

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GAME PREVIEW: LAKERS AT ROCKETS


by NBA.com

HOUSTON -- In the moment it seemed like an opportunity for a turnaround, with the Los Angeles Lakers rolling into Toyota Center on Dec. 20 and snapping the Rockets' 14-game winning streak with an effort highlighting their offensive potential and youthful exuberance.

In hindsight, that victory proved to be a blip on the radar. The Lakers (11-23) haven't won since, and will lug a five-game skid into Toyota Center when they face the Rockets on Sunday.

The Lakers are just 3-10 this month. After closing November with a defensive rating (103.0) that left them ranked ninth in the league, the Lakers have dropped to 12th overall. During their current slump, they've produced a 111.7 defensive rating, a mark that ranks 24th in the NBA.

Injuries to center Brook Lopez (ankle) and rookie guard Lonzo Ball (shoulder) have served as obstacles. However, the Lakers should be able to maintain their identity through the maladies.

"Obviously, we've had some different lineups trying some different things out, but to me that's the No. 1 thing we've got to fix," Lakers coach Luke Walton said of the defense. "It's what we've been able to hang our hat on all year: we get after it on defense, we get stops, we get after it and run. We have to get back to taking pride in being a defensive team first."

Said Lakers forward Brandon Ingram, "We're kind of in a dry spell on the defensive end. The past few games team have hit us in the mouth and I don't think we've done a good job of responding when we get hit first."

It was the Lakers who steered Houston (25-9) into its tailspin. The Rockets have dropped five consecutive games, starting with their loss to the Lakers, and have also struggled finding personnel combinations to offset injuries to Luc Mbah a Moute, Chris Paul and Clint Capela.

Like the Lakers, the Rockets have fallen apart defensively this month. Without Mbah a Moute (shoulder) and Paul, two of their top perimeter defenders, Houston has been lax at preventing dribble penetration. Without Capela, their rim protection has been sorely lacking.

Paul returned from a three-game hiatus on Friday night against the Washington Wizards but he alone couldn't stem the tide. Houston fell 121-103, the third time it has allowed at least 120 points during its skid. That excludes blowing a 26-point lead in a loss at Boston a night earlier.

"Our defensive pressure wasn't where it needed to be, not just tonight but it's been like that on our little skid," Rockets guard James Harden said. "We've just got to get back to our basics, get back to how we know how to play and we'll be good."

It remains to be seen if an intact roster will enable the Rockets to reclaim the confidence they flashed winning 14 consecutive games. They've lost consecutive games with Paul in their lineup after winning their first 15 with him and expect to have Capela (right orbital fracture) on Sunday. With Mbah a Moute sidelined indefinitely, that'll be as good as it gets.

"We're getting Chris back and Clint will be back next game, so we'll see," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.


http://www.nba.com/games/20171231/LALHOU#/preview

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 1:14 pm
by Moos
It appears that Houston got out the gate early compiling punch of wins getting hit with injuries and fatigue mid way of the season are struggling defensively, they got whipped by Boston when they had a 26 points lead. I hope one of our assistants aware of that. Anyways, we're hit with injuries,too. So, it's either Rockets 6th streak lose or Lakers 6th streak lose.. Goo Lakers!!! :slamdunk:

Wish you a happy and prosperous year with good health, love and joy to you guys and our Lakers team.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:30 pm
by KobeMVP888
122-122. Once again, free throws. :pullhair:

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:35 pm
by 3Peatkb24
KobeMVP888 wrote:122-122. Once again, free throws. :pullhair:


Randle 29/15 but just fouled out, damn it's 125-125 now. What a game.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:36 pm
by 3Peatkb24
CP3 puts Houston up 129-127.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:41 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Yeesss! Goaltending! Lakers up 131-129. Great stuff :beavis:

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:43 pm
by 3Peatkb24
CP3 puts Houston back up 133-131. 4 seconds left, lets go for the win here, fuck it.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:45 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Ingram ice water in his veins, makes 2 FT's to tie it at 133's with .8 left.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:47 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Double OT baby, CP3 misses.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:48 pm
by KobeMVP888
133-133. Glad to see the yutes hanging with these guys, even without Harden. BTW, as much as the refs kiss Harden's ass, they hate Randle's guts.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:52 pm
by 3Peatkb24
KobeMVP888 wrote:133-133. Glad to see the yutes hanging with these guys, even without Harden. BTW, as much as the refs kiss Harden's ass, they hate Randle's guts.


Randle gets 0 respect and it is awful! What happened to Harden, I missed him getting injured. Hey we are up 139-135.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:54 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Good God, Ariza hit a 3. Houston leads 140-139

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:55 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Harden had 40 Points too

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:56 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Ennis playing like an All-Star, love it. Lakers lead 141-140.

Re: Game 35: 12/31/17 Lakers at Rockets GAME THREAD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 8:01 pm
by 3Peatkb24
Have to Rebound, cant let Tucker put in the game winning 2 like that.