Preview: Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 3 Lakers @ Rockets (ESPN) 4/23/04

<div align="center"><font color="Purple"><font size="5">WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 3</font></font></div>

<font color="Purple"><font size="4"><div align="center">Los Angeles Lakers </div> </font> </font> <font size="4"><div align="center">lead the series 2-0</div></font>
<div align="center"> </div>
<div align="center"><font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> @ <font color="Red">Houston Rockets </font> </div>
<div align="center">Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Toyota Center
TV: ESPN</div>


Head Coaches:
Phil Jackson/Jeff Van Gundy

<u>Probable Game 3 Starting Lineups:</u>

Gary Payton/Steve Francis
Kobe Bryant/Cuttino Mobley
Rick Fox/Jim Jackson
Karl Malone/Kelvin Cato
Shaquille O'Neal/Yao Ming

Sixth Men
Derek Fisher/Maurice Taylor

Injury Report


Slava Medvedenko


No injuries to report, playoff roster healthy*

<u>Laker_Fever's Game 3 Prediction Matchups:</u>

<u>Point Guards</u>


If the Rockets want any chance to get back in this series, Steve Francis is going to have to play a huge factor in order to help his team win. And with himself earning a triple-double last Monday night at Los Angeles, he's very capable of doing even better to make sure his team takes the first out of three home games. Gary Payton on the other hand hasn't done much in this Laker triangle offense only taking 8 shot attempts, and scoring six points. I know he hates being the #3 option with himself sitting out half of the fourth quarter, but he's going to have a do a better job of penetrating to the basket, and keeping the defense on their heels. Also, when he walks up the court on every Laker possession, it'll be very important he makes wise decisions with the basketball, cuts down on the turnovers, and keep everybody involved in the offense. He needs to use our transitional game to his advantage and run whenever neccessary, and get everyone involved. Payton may have the playoff experience over Francis, but Francis will be very energized to perform in his first ever playoff home game.
Advantage Friday: Rockets

<u>Shooting Guards</u>


In my opinion, Cuttino Mobley is one of the reasons why the Rockets are down 2-0 in this series. Not shooting the ball well from the field and a horrible sense of shot selections. We don't need to look at Mobley's stats from Game 1 in which the team alone only scored 71 points. But if you look at Game 2, 4/11 from the field with only nine points won't cut it with Van Gundy. Mobley has to do a better job by hitting shots early, maintaining a consistent rhythm from the field, and most importantly getting the Houston crowd energized. If he can do this, it can build confidence for this young team that's trying to make this a series. Kobe Bryant, had an excellent game 2. He didn't shoot too well from the field, only shooting 9/20 from the field, but most of his points came from the charity stripe in which he went 16/17 from the line. So Kobe realizes he has to keep driving to the basket, creating contact, and getting to the line. He can't force up bad shots either. Horrible shot selections could definitely get Phil into a rage, and also his teammates. If Kobe gets his outside shot going, it could be a huge night for him and the Lakers.
Advantage Friday: Lakers

<u>Small Forwards</u>


I still feel Jim Jackson is the difference maker if the Rockets want to make this a series. He shot the ball well in Game 2 going 7/13 from the field for 19 points, and with Rick Fox's inability to guard Jackson, he should have no problems shooting consistently. Also, it'll be important that he provides leadership and motivation to his teammates because this will be their first ever playoff home game with himself being the only one with playoff experience. What's good to say about Rick Fox? He only took 2 shot attempts and didn't make any of them, if he gets beat on the dribble, he'd be his usual foul machine self and rack up critical team fouls to put the Rockets at the free throw line. Since his injury that sidelined him since last year, he just hasn't been the same guy. Is it time to see Devean George again?
Advantage Friday: Rockets

<u>Power Forwards</u>


I think it's time for Van Gundy to put in Maurice Taylor. A guy with size, has a decent outside jumpshot, and can contribute in the rebound categories because Cato is not a scorer, and is not much of a reliable guy on the defensive end. Karl Malone was one of the huge reasons why the Lakers took Game 2. He was very consistent with his outside shooting and developed an excellent rhythm by shooting 7/12 from the field for 17 points. The big question is would he be able to continue his hot shooting, or would he get into a slump? Malone is an excellent low post passer, and whenever he receives the ball he still has his three options: receiving the ball in the low post, and stepping back and shooting his 18 footer, looking for cutting teammates that are penetrating to the basket, or simply using his muscular strength to get to the basket and create contact.
Advantage Friday: Lakers

<u>Centers</u>


The Rockets, alongside Steve Francis and Jim Jackson, need an even bigger game from Yao Ming to make this a competitive series. What Yao has to keep trying to do is use his variety of shots to his advantage. His hook shot, his turnaround jumper in the low post, and most importantly his outside jumpshot. Shaq was a foul machine in Game 2, and he sat for a huge portion of the game, so Yao has to understand with Shaq out, he can easily take advantage of the small Laker frountcourt that's going to be guarding him. Shaq however knows in his mind, he's the most dominant center on the planet, and he'd love to shut up his critics Friday night, but can we see some solid production from The Diesel instead of seeing him on the bench with foul trouble??
Advantage Friday: Lakers

<u>Key Reserves</u>


In the Lakers win in Game 2, their role players stepped up in a huge way. Hitting their outside shots especially from the perimeter with Derek Fisher scoring 11, and Kareem Rush chipping in with 10. If these two can somehow take that performance into Game 3, then the Lakers will be tough to beat. With the injury of Slava Medvedenko, Brian Cook, the rookie, will have to take his game to a new level. As for Mark Jackson, he knows what playoff games are all about, he's experienced this playoff atmosphere. Look for him to set the Rockets' tempo. Just as I mentioned earlier about Maurice Taylor, it'll be very important for him to come in when needed, provide scoring, contributions with rebounds both on the offensive and defensive ends, and show Van Gundy why he should be in the starting lineup besides Cato.
Advantage Friday: Lakers


<div align="center">Players To Watch Game 3
</div>

<div align="center">Kobe Bryant & Steve Francis</div>

<div align="center">Bryant: 26.0 pts, 5.50 rebs, 5.0 assists, 1.72 steals
Francis: 18.0 pts, 5.50 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.76 steals </div>


Laker Fever's Prediction

The Lakers understand and realize that you have to win on the road in a playoff atmosphere. And with the players on this roster, they understand what it takes to do that. I really don't feel they want to give the Rockets any kind of momentum to get themselves back into this series, so the Lakers are going to do all they can for 48 minutes to make sure they have them rght where they want them, and that they can finish up this series as soon as possible. I'm going with the Lakers by 7.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Q Rich3:</div><div class="quote_post">Excellent preview, but I disagree..our bench is very inconsistent and they dont play well every game..I like Houston in this one though, by 5</div>Thank you. I think too many people are giving praise to thier bench because of what happened in game 2. When they start doing this on a nightly basis than I will give them credit.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Thank you. I think too many people are giving praise to thier bench because of what happened in game 2. When they start doing this on a nightly basis than I will give them credit.</div>

Are you here to make your prediction of the game, or are you looking to criticize?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you here to make your prediction of the game, or are you looking to criticize?</div>Its called critiquing.

Rockets by 7.

 

I'm predicting Kobe will have another 35+ point out burst and I expect Shaq to redeem his 7 point effort. I say he'll probaly get 25 and 12. I hope the supporting cast come gives a great effort also. But the Lakers are playing on the road and I expect Yao and Steve to play well too and give the Lakers alot of trouble. I predict the Lakers will still come out on top by 5.

 

The Rockets Don't have a chance to win on Friday simpliy becuase L.A are begenning to click as a team. The playoff mood has set in and they know that them going into Houston with a tough task to take two from them, but they are very capable of doing it. Yao will wear doown from the beating he taking from Shaq and mobley is having a hard time checking Kobe(when he decides he going to shoot).As for Friday i say L.A. by 10.

Kobe will end up with 30+
Shaq 25 15rebs

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">^^Rudeezy keep it "Cali" all the way, at the very least route for the Queens. .</div>I am rooting for the queens.

 

if shaq can find his game again in game 3 then the rockets will have alot of troubles on their hands , it would be nice to see malone post a nice score again , and if kobes outside shot is on , its good bye rockets , hello san antonio ..... my prediction .... lakers by 18

ps- this is my first post on justbball.com

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CJ32_:</div><div class="quote_post">

ps- this is my first post on justbball.com</div>Congrats and welcome.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">I am rooting for the queens.</div>

Sacramento is why I'm paying so much for tuition...we should all be against them...

I have a feeling the game is going into OT...Lakers by 4 in OT

 

I'm hoping Kobe will improve his field goal percentage with this game. But most importantly, i'm hoping that the Lakers win.

I'll take Lakers... by 7.

 

I'm going with Lakers again. They thoroughly outplayed the Rockets in the last game. Kobe Bryant absolutely lit them up. And, they beat them without getting anything from Shaq. And, in all likelyhood, Shaq will not have back to back bad games. I just don't think it will happen. I think the Lakers this one by about 10 or so with Shaq coming back and having a big game, something around the 26/12 area, and Kobe going off for around 25-32, somewhere in there.

 

Rockets have no chance its not that i think the lakers are just too good (i think their reserve has depth) but that Rockets are just too inconsistent and chaotic Francis could do better but it doesnt look like it. ill say lakers by 6

 

Lakers by 11

 

Well back to the topic.. I agree with Shapecity, I think the Lakers will come out strong after the long rest and take a 3-0 lead. As far as statistic predictions, it's really impossible because you don't know if these two teams are going to score in the high 90s or in the low 70's again. Overall I predict a Laker victory by 5.

 

Lakers by 1--first real road test of the playoffs...

 

Lakers need a big game from Malone and Glove.
Phil Jackson should close the lane of penetration when Shaq goes out, that's where Houston's backcourt ( Cuttino, Steve ) do all the damage, when Shaq goes out Madvadenko goes to help so early which leaves the whole lane open.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> The Rockets looked out of it mentally in the last game, and I think it's going to carry over in Houston. The Laker defense is finally coming around, and even a low turnover team like the Rockets is getting rattled and making careless mistakes. .</div>

The Rockets are the highest trunover team in the league

I call a Laker victory in a very close game.