2004 NBA Playoffs: **Houston Rockets vs. LA Lakers** Series Thread

<u>Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers</u>
First Round Match Up - 2004 NBA Playoffs
Best of Seven Game Series(Need 4 to clinch)

Game Times
<u>Game 1</u> - Sat., Apr. 17 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. ESPN; Ch. 51
<u>Game 2</u> - Mon., Apr. 19 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. TNT; Ch. 51
<u>Game 3</u> - Fri., Apr. 23 @ Houston 8:30 p.m. ESPN; Ch. 51
<u>Game 4</u> - Sun., Apr. 25 @ Houston 2:30 p.m. ABC
<u>Game 5</u> - (If necessary) @ Los Angeles
<u>Game 6</u> - (If necessary) @ Houston
<u>Game 7</u> - (If necessary) @ Los Angeles



Head Coaches:
Jeff Van Gundy/Phil Jackson

Probable Playoff Starting Lineups:
Steve Francis/Gary Payton
Cuttino Mobley/Kobe Bryant
Jim Jackson/Devean George
Kelvin Cato/Karl Malone
Yao Ming/Shaquille O'Neal

Sixth Men
Maurice Taylor/Derek Fisher

Injury Report

Rockets
None to report.

Lakers
Rick Fox (broken thumb, out indefinitely)
Horace Grant (hip, could miss playoffs)
Devean George (probably will start)


The Houston Rockets (45-37) will face the Los Angeles Lakers (56-26) as the 2 vs. 7 seeds in the Western Conference, respectively. This series proves to be one of the most exciting as the Rockets have played the Lakers competitively the whole season and have a serious capability of beating Los Angeles in a 7-game series.

Key players figure to be Yao Ming and Steve Francis for the Rockets. Ming has played very well against Shaq and has even outplayed him in his individual matchups this season. Francis also has played well, exploiting the Lakers' lack of athleticism and quickness in the backcourt. For the Lakers, the key players are obvious: Shaq and Kobe. Shaq needs to return to his past playoff performances against arguably the second best center in the league, and the one who gives him the most trouble. Kobe needs to keep up his strong, MVP play of late, altho it will be rough against Cuttino Mobley, who has stepped up his game admirably as an individual defender.

Bottom line: expect a great, competitive series that rekindles the old Lakers-Rockets playoff rivalries of the past. I, for one, predict the ultimate upset, with the Rockets defeating LA 4-2 in the series. I think Francis and Yao will play to their All-Star level consistently, but the Rockets' supporting cast of Mo Taylor, Jim Jackson, Mobley and Kelvin Cato will be more help and consistent that the Lakers' supporting cast of Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Devean George and Derek Fisher, with the last two being notably inconsistent and unreliable this season.


Prediction: Rockets def. Lakers, 4-2

 

Rockets and Lakers

Hmmm...very intersting, both teams have major injuries. Francis and Mobley should be ready to play saturday. While Karl sits down AGAIN yes. and Geogre also sits because of a strain calf. As long as the injury bugs are with the lakers, the rockets have a great chance of beat the Lakers. Go Yao.

 

the only way Houston can win 4-2 is if Francis pours in 25 + pts a game. He hasn't yet had his A-game against the Lakers this season so Im expecting him to tear it up like all combo guards do against the Lakers when they don't play the pick roll well.

Either way, I want to see how Ming performs. This could be a fierce series, not a pretty one either. I expect a lot of fouling, a lot of Jimmy Jackson action. That man should be a bona fide star.

Im going to be conservative here but say the Lakers win 4-3. Does anyone know if they're nationally televising the games?

 

Houston, please beat the Lakers. I know it will be hard, but you always play well agaisnt them. I still think the Lakers will win the series in 6 but just make it harder for them to win.

 

You guys are being very biased, and I don't blame you guys because you're Rockets fans, but do you really believe that the Houston Rockets can beat the Lakers 4 times?? Let's be realistic here. The only way Houston has a tremendous shot of beating the Lakers is if Francis stops being selfish, and plays like a point guard instead of committing turnovers left and right, and if Yao Ming has spectacular games. But I don't see Yao doing that to the Lakers. I'm sure you remember how Yao was completely shut down the last time the Lakers played in Los Angeles. This is why Gary and Karl went to the Lakers. To win an NBA championship, and these long-time vets will be very hungry and determined to do all they can to make a Finals run. my prediction for this series: Lakers 4-1

 

If we can take the first game in LA, it will take a lot of pressure off our team and might eventually take that momentum and use it to carry us past the Lakers.

 

As much as I want the Rockets to win, the Lakers are just currently playing too good to lose 4 times. I believe we can put up a fight and maybe take the series, but the odds are too much against us to win. We will at least get one game, but will flop out of the series 4-2 in the end.

However, there will be hope if we win the first game, which will be a huge confidence boost for us.

 

Lakers in 5. We all know that Houston has given the Lakers alot of trouble this season, but the playoffs is different and the Rockets haven't been to the playoffs in 5 years. I still think the Rockets will give them a hard series, but only win 1 game against the Lake show.

 

The Rockets 4-1
When the Frachise and Dynasty both play good KB8 and Shaq or anyone else can't stop them. If Steve takes over the game and avoids those time where Yao definitly cannot take Shaq and scores they will win. Yeah Steve does need 25+ and Yao 25+. Neither KB8,Wink3,Yao, or Shaq can't be stopped 1on1 and if Steve and Mobley (really at least Steve) are healthy Its 2 horrible mismatches. Steve and Gary and Kobe and Mobley. Mobley has stepped up his D but Kobe is too good and Gary is 40 and Steve is one of the most Athletic and skilled players in the league.

 

I'm taking Houston in the upset 4-3. I'm hardly ever wrong.

If I'm a Rockets fan, I'm getting pumped up for a magical series. This is your chance to make a name for yourselfs in the playoffs and send the much hated Lakers packing home.

Lets get down to business baby.

BTW- I'm going to stickie this thread.

 

Oh yeah we're pumped up alright. If we can take this first round, the city of Houston'll be rocking and maybe we can even go to the Finals. After all, everything will be possible once you beat a team with four surefire Hall-Of-Famers.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MustardMan:</div><div class="quote_post">the only way Houston can win 4-2 is if Francis pours in 25 + pts a game. He hasn't yet had his A-game against the Lakers this season so Im expecting him to tear it up like all combo guards do against the Lakers when they don't play the pick roll well.

Either way, I want to see how Ming performs. This could be a fierce series, not a pretty one either. I expect a lot of fouling, a lot of Jimmy Jackson action. That man should be a bona fide star.

Im going to be conservative here but say the Lakers win 4-3. Does anyone know if they're nationally televising the games?</div>

Yes ESPN and TNT will likely be carrying the whole series between the two networks

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys are being very biased, and I don't blame you guys because you're Rockets fans, but do you really believe that the Houston Rockets can beat the Lakers 4 times?? Let's be realistic here. The only way Houston has a tremendous shot of beating the Lakers is if Francis stops being selfish, and plays like a point guard instead of committing turnovers left and right, and if Yao Ming has spectacular games. But I don't see Yao doing that to the Lakers. I'm sure you remember how Yao was completely shut down the last time the Lakers played in Los Angeles. This is why Gary and Karl went to the Lakers. To win an NBA championship, and these long-time vets will be very hungry and determined to do all they can to make a Finals run. my prediction for this series: Lakers 4-1</div>

I dont think we're TOO biased...we've had great success against the Lakers, which shows promise...I think Francis (who has owned Payton/Fisher this season) will play huge, and Ming will play brilliantly as well...as i said, it will come down to the supporting cast and who makes the fewer mistakes...

 

There last time the Lakers beat the Rockets are because Karl Malone was back, now if he is gone and Cato is heathly, then Yao will less likely to be in foul trouble. Im pick the Rockets at 4-2 win over the lakers

 

Well malone landed on that ankle, which is good news for us. But they still have their superstar who most of you hate but still envy. I hate kobe but after yesterday's game(lakers vs. blazerS) I was in awe at Kobe's buzzer beaters. That was like unbelievable, Kobe can make any type of shots from anywhere.. Let's hope kobe's mind is on the white gurl and his next court date so he wont be unstopable. If the rockets play well I'm confident; we have a great shot to go through if we develop a momentum and continue it to the next round. We could beat anyone if Yao takes control.

 

Karl Malone will be playing against the Rockets the first game so the only one who isnt playing is Devean George.

Its not very nice to say about Kobe. His mind will be on the championship and dont worry about Payton. He wants his championship 2 so he will dominate Francis.

Lakers will take this in 5games.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Let's hope kobe's mind is on the white gurl and his next court date so he wont be unstopable.</div>

That's getting kinda old now. Kobe for the entire season has been able to block out the negativity from his mind surrounding these court hearings. He understands this is the playoffs, and this is where he's going to come out and play to the best of his ability. Good luck Cuttino.

 

I tihnk this will be a tough series Karl Malone isnt healthy so someon from the Lakers bench will have to step up.The Rockets will have to stop turning over the ball so much or the Lakers will destroy them.

 

As a Rockets fan, of course I'm hoping for the upset. But realistically, I just don't see it happening. I predict Lakers in 5, possibly 6.

For the Rockets to have a successful series, these things need to happen:
- Francis and Mobley have a good, consistent series. The Lakers have shown themselves to be vulnerable to our quick guards. Francis needs to penetrate consistently and NOT turn the ball over, taking advantage of a nice "stop and pop" midrange jumber. Mobley has also had some success this season taking Kobe off the dribble and hitting the outside shot. He needs to continue to do that in a consistent fashion.
- Yao needs to stay out of foul trouble and not play timidly against Shaq. He had a poor showing in his last game against Shaq because he was relying on tough fadeaway over his outstretched arms. Yao needs to take advantage of Shaq's aggressive defense by using pump fakes (which he did successfully in previous games), solid footwork, and his devastating jump hook in the lane.
- Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Its been the Rocket's number one problem this year, and it will likely continue to be a problem in the playoffs. But if the Rockets want to have any chance of winning a series (or, heck, winning it all) they HAVE to limit turnovers to between 10 and 15 a game. These 20 turnover games just aren't going to cut it against the elite teams.
- Defensively, the Rockets need to figure out a way to defend Shaq without getting multiple big men in foul trouble. They need to send aggressive double teams towards him and play the passing lanes. DON'T rotate off of Kobe. I don't care that his 3 point shooting is down this year. He's too good a player to leave him open in the playoffs. The Laker's weakness offensively is at the forward positions (now that Malone is hobbled). Those defensive players should double down, I think.
- Finally, the Rockets need to just play their game. The Rockets don't have a fast, nifty passing game like the Kings, so they shouldn't try to emulate that style. When the Rockets don't play with discipline and patience, they start turning over the ball and rushing shots.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh yeah we're pumped up alright. If we can take this first round, the city of Houston'll be rocking and maybe we can even go to the Finals. After all, everything will be possible once you beat a team with four surefire Hall-Of-Famers.</div>
Well IF you guys get out of the first round, you will have a road block with the Spurs.

I will be rooting for the Rockets in this series but I would love to see the Spurs and Lakers square off again.