Game tonight at 7:30pm CT. Rockets will be even more short-handed this game because Budinger is out with a sore ankle. That makes things particularly tough against the Lakers, because we lack a big guard/wing on the bench who can match up defensively against Kobe and Artest. The key, as ever, will be Aaron Brooks continuing his excellent play, rebounding as a team, and hitting the threes.
We could see minutes for Landry at the 3 (guarding Artest/Odom) and minutes for Jermaine Taylor tonight. http://my.nba.com/cms/2009/11/04/chase_budinger_out_for_wednesdays_game_against_lakers
Rockets lose 103-102 in OT. Rough game for our leading scorers Brooks and Ariza this time around. I'm surprised the Rockets did as well as they did, considering. In the end, the difference was that the Lakers had Kobe to take control, and the Rockets had ... well, no one. That's the value of the closer in the NBA.
Not really. Budinger is actually way ahead of him as an offensive player. Its funny to say it, but we missed him tonight. A team can only overcome so many missing players. It was a struggle to find someone who could score a basket in that fourth quarter and overtime.
This has to be one of the best rivals in basketball right now. The Lakers and Rockets always play close games decided in the final moments. The Rockets did enough to win tonight, but didn't have an answer for Kobe down the stretch. They probably should have doubled Kobe harder and forced the ball out of his hands. No one else was shooting the ball exceptionally well and instead of Scola being indecisive on the trap leaving Artest free I think the better double would have been Brooks dropping down leaving Fisher open. Fisher has struggled all season shooting the basketball and he was short on the rim tonight which indicates his legs are fatigued only 5 games into the season. I was also surprised Adelman didn't use Lowry more in the 2nd half with Brooks in the backcourt. Lowry was getting to the line frequently when he was in the game. Chuck Hayes is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the league. I love how he plays the game.
As you know, he's been one of my favorites pretty much the first game I saw him with the team. I hope he stays a Rockets to the end of his playing days. His combination of IQ, leadership, defensive skills, and sheer toughness is very unique and VERY underappreciated. If he continues to play the way he has, he should seriously get consideration for an All-Defense selection.
Chuck Hayes shot the ball 9 times tonight and avoided the free throw line. I'm not sure who's responsible for not reminding every player on the Laker team to foul Hayes when he's putting up shots.
I'd take Hayes over Powell anytime. Complete opposites, frustrating we don't have a better bench and our guard situation blows (depth-wise). Great heart tonight for Houston.
John Hollinger was at the game, chatting about what he saw. Here's the transcript: Code: John Hollinger: Impressive Red-to-Gold ratio in the Toyota Center right now. Laker fans can dwarf some opposing home crowds like an invading army, but that doesn't seem it will be the case tonight. Wednesday November 4, 2009 8:39 John Hollinger 8:40 John Hollinger: As a veteran Kobe vs. Battier watcher, gotta piont out that he's getting much deeper post position than we've seen in their past matchups. Kobe is 4-of-6, but all six have been turnarounds from about 10-12 feet. Usually Shane pushes him to 15-18 and makes that a much more difficult look. Wednesday November 4, 2009 8:52 John Hollinger 8:52 John Hollinger: Interesting cross-match here as well. Scola is guarding Artest -- I guess the Rockets know better than anybody that Ron has lost a step attacking off the dribble. Ariza is guarding Odom. We may see opponents do this a lot against LA this year -- guard Ron with their 4 and Odom with their 3. Wednesday November 4, 2009 8:53 John Hollinger 8:54 John Hollinger: I love that they still gave Hakeem huge ovations here whenever he shows up for a game. Just introduced him at the timeout. Wednesday November 4, 2009 8:54 John Hollinger 8:58 John Hollinger: Doesn't appear to be -- Phil was talking optimistically about him practicing tomorrow and possibly playing in Memphis on Friday. They could really use him tonight -- Scola's killing them right now. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:01 John Hollinger 9:02 John Hollinger: Nice lift by LA's bench to end quarter after they didn't do jack last night. Lakers rally from eight down to tie it 22-22 at end of one. Impressions -- Houston's offensive tempo much faster than a year ago, feel like Ariza and Artest both were pressing a bit in first quarter, LA's help D much more conscious of Brooks and helping Fisher with quickness mismatch. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:07 John Hollinger 9:07 [Comment From Woni F.Woni F.: ] Do you think Kobe can win MVP this year? Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:07 Woni F. 9:07 John Hollinger: I think the Lakers would have to have the league's best record by several games for Kobe to win MVP, for this simple reason -- MVP has somehow morphed into "best story", and the Lakers being good is a non-story -- we all expect it. "Surprise" teams always get major extra credit in MVP votes -- that's how Nash won twice. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:08 John Hollinger 9:09 John Hollinger: I think David Andersen might personally walk over to Phil Jackson and beg him to take Bynum out of the game. Total physical mismatch. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:16 John Hollinger 9:17 [Comment From mikemike: ] any interaction between the lakers and ariza before the game started? Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:17 mike 9:17 John Hollinger: Usually that stuff happens after the game, Mike, especially with LA on a back to back. Wouldn't be surprised to see Trevor head over to the visitor's locker room to renew acquaintances, or at least catch up with some guys in the hallway. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:17 John Hollinger 9:18 [Comment From JazzJonesJazzJones: ] Ariza= a overpaid role player Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:19 JazzJones 9:19 John Hollinger: Can't say Ariza's overpaid when he got the midlevel -- doesn't need to be an All-Star to justify those bucks. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:27 John Hollinger 9:28 John Hollinger: That said, Ariza is really forcing it right now. Just did the ol' Carmelo stare-at-the-floor-then-shoot-a-contested-3 move, completely out of character ... 2-for-9 on my sheet. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:32 John Hollinger 9:33 John Hollinger: New Rocket offense: Ariza passes it off the rim to Landry. Kept forcing misses, Landry kept grabbing rebounds -- 14 points in 2nd quarter alone. Rockets lead 48-44 at break. Wednesday November 4, 2009 9:42 John Hollinger 9:43 [Comment From mikemike: ] in response to John H. and Kobe winning MVP. Your probably right about lakers needing to be several games in front of next closest team at end. However, he still won't get it. There is a lot of hate for Kobe, and unbelievable love for LeBron. Lebron more athletic. Kobe more lethal. Lebron wins MVP regardless. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:12 mike 10:14 John Hollinger: I disagree on the love/hate thing -- didn't Kobe win it two years ago? The problem is going to be that a) Carmelo is a great story, and b) LeBron and Wade and perhaps CP likely will have better stats. When he won two years ago LA's resurgence was the "story", now it will be that much harder. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:14 John Hollinger 10:14 John Hollinger: On a positive note, he's keeping LA in this game by himself. Other LA guys looked whipped from the OT back to back. Kobe really having an efficient first 30 minutes. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:14 John Hollinger 10:14 John Hollinger: Who's watching Houston-LA right now? Rockets are just murdering LA on the glass since the start of the second quarter. Come back soon, Pau. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:19 John Hollinger 10:20 John Hollinger: Phil tried to get a blow for Kobe and it might be a brief one -- LA melting down here in fourth quarter of back to back without him. Back to layups -- and I mean easy ones -- put Houston up by seven. Let's see if Kobe checks back in. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:32 John Hollinger 10:32 John Hollinger: Rockets up by three with six minutes to go. In previous LA games, this has been whern their offense has melted down due to the lack of a go-to scorer. LA is pretty much Kobe and Bynum thus far -- bench has done little, Artest and Odom fairly quiet, and Fisher has a bagel. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:42 John Hollinger 10:42 [Comment From AndyAndy: ] Seems like LA is doing a much better job covering Brooks than in the playoffs. What're they doing differently? Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:49 Andy 10:50 John Hollinger: Andy, they are. You could tell right from the tipoff that they had done a lot more scheming for how to defend Brooks and they've given Fisher a lot of help against the drive right from the start. It's opened some things up inside for Scola and Landry, but overall they have to be happy with the D tonight. Now if they could just give Kobe some help on offense they'll be all set. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:50 John Hollinger 10:50 John Hollinger: That's why I like the Artest signing for LA -- he can hit those spot-up 3s. But the big story was those traps they sprung on Brooks hte last trips with Bynum and Fisher. Totally broke down Houston's plays twice in a row. Wednesday November 4, 2009 10:57 John Hollinger 10:58 John Hollinger: Take that Ron. completely unrelated side note: Derek Fisher is having the best 0-point, 0-rebound, 0-assist game I've ever seen. Utterly impact free on offense, but several huge defensive plays. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:00 John Hollinger 11:00 [Comment From PaulPaul: ] Hey Hollinger..Does Kobe know what "Team Basketball" is? He does know he can pass and trust his teammates? He just jacks up shots, hes avg 26 shots a game and maybe a dozen dimes in 4 games Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:00 Paul 11:00 John Hollinger: Kobe is playing it exactly right -- Rockets are single covering him with Battier so hie's shooting. When the double came on the last trip he kicked to Artest for the 3. He's reading the D and making the right decision nearly every time. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:00 John Hollinger 11:01 Kevin Arnovitz: The Bynum screen gave the Rockets the opportunity to trap Bryant 30 feet from basket. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:03 Kevin Arnovitz 11:04 John Hollinger: Terrible decision by Fisher on that inbound play. Kobe was WIDE OPEN. Instead we'll get five more minutes here in Houston. I can't complain about that. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:04 John Hollinger 11:04 [Comment From NickNick: ] kobe was wide open!!!!! Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:04 Nick 11:04 John Hollinger: Exactly Nick. How do you miss that? I know they had 0.7 but he's still gotta be the first option, right? Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:04 John Hollinger 11:05 John Hollinger: Crikey, Fisher of all people should know that you only need 0.4 to get a jumper away. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:05 John Hollinger 11:05 [Comment From WeasleWeasle: ] Fisher is the worst player that you absolutely cannot afford to get rid of. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:05 Weasle 11:05 John Hollinger: That's funny Weasle. And it might be accurate too. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:06 John Hollinger 11:06 [Comment From NoamNoam: ] That was a ridiculous call. Clean double team by Scole. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:13 Noam 11:13 John Hollinger: I had a poor angle for that call on Scola so I can't judge. But that's five on Scola, so potentially a big call. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:13 John Hollinger 11:13 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Lakers up 2 with 44.2 to play. Rockets have the ball. Timeout. We're in OT. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:21 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:21 John Hollinger: That 6th foul on Scola was legit folks. The replay ruling was interesting -- really, they should have revised it to be a foul on Landry but they can't do that, and the ball went out off Bynum, so Rockets get the ball and a tying lay-up from Brooks. Brooks blew right by Mr. Triple Zero, Derek Fisher, and I'm wondering if Fish's legs are turning to rubber in his 2nd straight road OT game. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:21 John Hollinger 11:22 [Comment From Jeff (Phoenix)Jeff (Phoenix): ] Bynum just hit 2 from the line, LA up 102-100 Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:22 Jeff (Phoenix) 11:22 [Comment From mikemike: ] royce what was the out of bounds play you are talking about/ Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:22 mike 11:23 Twitter RicBucher: Watching Hou-LAL on Slingbox. OT. Life is good. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:23 RicBucher 11:23 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Just a random play. But a close call so they went to the replay to see which team to give it to. See Hollinger's explanation for more. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:23 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:23 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Landry jump hook ties game ... Lakers with ball. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:23 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:24 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Kobe feeds Bynum ... Rockets hammer him ... two FTs coming. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:24 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:24 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Game is tied pending FTs. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:24 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:25 [Comment From C33C33: ] I realize it's early but, Lakers in OT on back-to-back nights in games they should win handily? Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:25 C33 11:25 [Comment From PaulPaul: ] Royce you mean Kobe actually passed the ball to a teammate? Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:25 Paul 11:25 John Hollinger: Good heavens ... is that Brian Cook's music? Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:25 John Hollinger 11:25 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Bynum sinks 2. Now 24.7 seconds to play, Rockets with ball, down 2. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:25 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:25 [Comment From Bigg DoggBigg Dogg: ] no pau though Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:25 Bigg Dogg 11:26 Chip Crain, 3 Shades of Blue, TrueHoop Network: Bynum only made one free throw Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:26 Chip Crain, 3 Shades of Blue, TrueHoop Network 11:26 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Oops, I meant that Bynum missed one, made one. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:26 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:26 John Hollinger: Only 1 of 2 for Bynum. Think Cook might have just been in for hte DRB situation though.,, could see Lowry out of the TO. Or Andersen perhaps. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:26 John Hollinger 11:26 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Rockets down 1 with 24.7 to play ... coming out of timeout. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:26 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:28 [Comment From MikeMike: ] not a shooting foul? are you kidding me? Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:28 Mike 11:28 John Hollinger: Rockets still have a timeout left to use at practice tomorrow morning. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:28 John Hollinger 11:28 [Comment From Sam, LASam, LA: ] Even the LA commentators thought that was in the act Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:28 Sam, LA 11:29 Royce Webb, ESPN.com: Lakers strip Ariza. That's no way to treat an old friend. LA escapes with one-point win. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:29 Royce Webb, ESPN.com 11:29 Twitter johnhollinger: Derek Fisher played 34 minutes tonight and had 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists. Didn't think that was possible in an NBA game. Wednesday November 4, 2009 11:30 johnhollinger 11:32
I can't believe Hollinger typed this .... Rockets are just murdering LA on the glass since the start of the second quarter.
Tweets from the GM: # Good: effort!, off.reb., shot defense-85% contested(Battier 100%!), Cholandry, 41 trans. pts to LAL 22; Need imprvmnt: TOs, def reb., fouling, ball mvmnt - 23 minutes ago from web # Hard fought game by the guys. We all took this one hard. Coaching staff & players put us in a great position to win. Must stay focused for OKC - 36 minutes ago from web
