Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game 2: Houston @ L.A.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets I'm predicting a 20-15 night for him, while effectively containing Shaq</div>

I don't know if you've noticed this, but over the past two years Yao hardly plays D on Shaq at all, and when they do it doesn't last for long. Cato is always the one guarding Shaq, and not Yao. Shaq has said this for the past two years, in terms of something like this: "I play Yao straight up, but he doesn't defend me so it's not a real Shaq vs Yao matchup." Van Gundy doesn't like having Yao on Shaq because he knows he isn't tough enough, and doesn't want him to get into foul trouble.

 

I'm going with the Rockets in this one. They will come out with the urgency they need and the Lakers will come out with no heart once again. I'm going with the Rockets over the Lakers by 5 in another low scoring affair.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know if you've noticed this, but over the past two years Yao hardly plays D on Shaq at all, and when they do it doesn't last for long. Cato is always the one guarding Shaq, and not Yao. Shaq has said this for the past two years, in terms of something like this: "I play Yao straight up, but he doesn't defend me so it's not a real Shaq vs Yao matchup." Van Gundy doesn't like having Yao on Shaq because he knows he isn't tough enough, and doesn't want him to get into foul trouble.</div>
Weird, from what I've seen from Yao/Shaq meetings, Yao is always the one guarding Shaq. On Saturday, Yao was the one guarding Shaq whenever he wasn't in foul trouble.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Weird, from what I've seen from Yao/Shaq meetings, Yao is always the one guarding Shaq. On Saturday, Yao was the one guarding Shaq whenever he wasn't in foul trouble.</div>

Well maybe he actually played D on him for once. I wasn't paying attention to that much last game, but it has always been that way in the regular season so far.. If he did play him up on D there's your reason for him fouling out.

 

Yao has done a great job defending Shaq this season (with the exception of their last regular season meeting). But this is the playoffs now, we can only expect Shaq to take it up another notch. It will be interesting to see if Yao can respond.

 

I just have one thing to say about that over the head layup by Kobe. JORDANESQUE....but better.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Sweet game for the Lakers, the defense was there, and they closed out the end of the quarters in vintage Laker fashion. </div>
Actually they closed the 1st and 2nd quarters horribly. The Rockets went on a run to end the third and than went on another huge run to end the half.

But nice game for the Lakers.

 

Great 2nd half by the Lakers, totally shut the Rockets offense down. Kobe had a great game, and Rush gave us a great lift off the bench, and can't forget Fisher's performance as well.

Anyone see that Gary Payton commercial for the champion trophy? lol that cracked me up.. Vlade's was pretty good too.. "if we are not together, that would be stink".. hahaha

 

The Lakers played really well, and i think what decided the game was when the Rockets failed to take advantage of Shaq and his four fouls in the second half. They have great penetrators (Mobley, Francis) and two great scoring posts (Ming, Taylor) and still failed to put pressure on the Lakers' interior D...and to let the bench kill you is just heartbreaking...Francis played very well, and Ming played well overall but still did not exploit Shaq when he was in foul trouble...Mobley needs to step up his game offensively...I still think he does a nice job on Kobe, forcing him to shoot 9-20 on mostly fallaways, altho he did let Kobe get to the line for 16 points...

I still think the Rockets have a great shot at pulling the series out, in 7 games or even 6...they are a great home team and play with more intensity in Toyota Center...the Lakers look very vulnerable...Shaq seems to be tiring easier and Malone has had one good game and one horrible game...Payton has been very ineffective...Francis has played well and Ming can use this game as a confidence-booster....

 

Kobe did what I predicted. Scoring 35+ and the Lakers won despite Shaqs career playoff low of 7 points. DFish had a good game too as well as Malone from the field. Good win finally and the Lakers should wrap this up in less then 5 games or even a sweep hopefully.

 

Man, the Rockets are sore losers. First Van Gundy then Francis.

 

lol did you hear those comments Van Gundy made about Kobe being a ball hog and that he should play more team ball after the game? Cracked me up because that's a pretty dumb question to ask the opposing team's coach.. What do you expect him to say "Yes Kobe played teriffic and should keep shooting and continue to destroy us"... lol ohwell we won and that's all that matters. The Rockets can cry all they want, their season has only two or three games left at most, complain while they can..

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Undertakernv:</div><div class="quote_post">Man, the Rockets are sore losers. First Van Gundy then Francis.</div>
What do you mean?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">What do you mean?</div>

I think he's talking about Francis and Van Gundy complaining about the refs and comments about the Laker players and their coach.

 

Oh, I must have missed that.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone see that Gary Payton commercial for the champion trophy?</div>

Anyone see Gary Payton pouting cause his old "gloveless" ass wasn't playing in the 4th quarter. Very odd. Shaq and Kobe go to bench recieving high fives. And theres Gary brooding cause he's not playing anymore. I like the glove but D Fish plays better defense.