Preview: Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 5 Rockets @ Lakers Tonight (TNT)

<div align="center"><font color="Purple"><font size="5">WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 5</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 3-1</div></font>
<div align="center"> </div>
<div align="center"><font color="Red">Houston Rockets </font> @ <font color="Purple"> Los Angeles Lakers </font> </div>
<div align="center">Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: Staples Center
TV: TNT</div>


Head Coaches:
Jeff Van Gundy/Phil Jackson

<u>Probable Game 5 Starting Lineups:</u>

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


No injuries to report


No injuries to report

<u>Laker_Fever's Game 5 Prediction Matchups:</u>

<u>Point Guards</u>


Steve Francis clearly understands that he's the main focus, the number one priority if he wants to lead his Rockets into victory and force a Game 6 back in Houston. What he has to do is not try and do everything on his own. He can't be selfish, and force up ridiculous horrific shots. His position is a point guard, but in his mind he plays like a two guard. And if he's not getting it going from the field, and Gary Payton has his old days of being "The Glove" once again, the Rockets definitely will lose, and all the fans will be pointing fingers at him wondering where his offensive production went. Gary Payton still is not being effetive at all in this first round series. And he was very fortunate to actually get minutes in the fourth quarter in Game 4. Payton's outside shot isn't falling at all, so the easiest route for him to take is use his low post quickness to his advantage. Everytime he ends up in the low post, he can easily slash to the basket and maneuver his way to a quick an easy two points. But if he tries to penetrate to the basket from the top of the key, and try to do those hanging floaters, or those ugly looking hook shots, then that'll be when he plays that role of sitting out for most of the 4th quarter and Fisher taking all his minutes.
Advantage Tonight: Rockets

<u>Shooting Guards</u>


Cuttino Mobley was one of the reasons why this team lost Game 4 last Sunday in Houston. Horrible shot selections. He rushed too many shots on key Rocket posessions, and his shot from the perimeter wasn't falling at all. Since the Rockets are facing an elimination game, it'll be up to him as the two guard to be consistent with his shot. Knocking down early shots to establish and maintain an offensive flow. If he's not feeling it at all, it's no crime to pass to your teammates who'll definitely pick up the slack. One of the bright spots for him is he's making Kobe work for his shots. Playing in his grill, and not allowing him to make him look silly on every Laker possession. Kobe loves shining in elimination games, so it'll be important for Cuttino to buckle down on him for 48 minutes total. Kobe on the other hand, hasn't been playing decently. At times, he looked like he was a non-factor in the triangle offense, and didn't wake up until late in the 4th quarter. When Kobe receives the ball, he can do two things. One, if he has a good look at the basket, shoot it from the outside. Be consistent from the outside, and don't force up ridiculous shots that'll get Phil pissed, and two, penetrate to the basket. Easily when Kobe drives, he can draw contact and I know he'd love to take on Yao and get him in foul trouble. As I mentioned earlier, Kobe would love to end this series tonight, and take on San Antonio. The team that destroyed his hopes of having four consecutive rings.
Advantage Tonight: Lakers

<u>Small Forwards</u>


Jim Jackson is going to have to do all he can to not only keep his offensive game consistent, but keep his teammates motivated and energized since they lost a devastating Game 4 which looked at times that they had the game in the bag. Since he's the only starting player on this team with playoff experience, he's going to have to do a ton of talking on the court so that this team doesn't force up too many horrible shots from the field, and that they don't fall behind early. Because if they do, it'll destroy their confidence as they play. I really feel where Jackson is deadly is from the perimeter. The Lakers have no perimeter defense whatsoever, and he's always there standing at the corner of the perimeter waiting to receive the ball. If he gets it going tonight, Phil Jackson will definitely start fuming. As for Devean George, he played a small role in Game 4. Playing only 23 minutes and going 3/4 from the field. Can he perhaps play in the shadow of the Big Four where he's most comfortable playing in and finally break out of his offensive and mental slump? We'll wait and see.
Advantage Tonight: 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 simply the X factor in Game 4. Knocking down his outside shots with ease and consistency, contributing in a huge way both on offensive and defensive rebounds, and most importantly, coming up huge in key defensive situations when the Lakers needed a stop. I really feel the Rockets will give Malone a free pass which means to me the Rockets will ignore Malone because they'll be concerned with stopping Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal for most of the game. And that will give Malone the green light to once again repeat his best game as a Laker. If he can still get his hot hand going from the outside, the Rockets will definitely be in trouble. BTW, I'm sure Malone will be looking for Bostjan Nachbar. :mrgreen:
Advantage Tonight: Lakers

<u>Centers</u>


Yao Ming has had a quiet first round playoff series, and he'll really need to get going if the Rockets want any chance of taking this series back to Houston for a Game 6. He has a variety of shots he can use on his defenders, and a quick advantage that Yao has is Shaq can committ ticky-tac fouls at any given moment, he understands that....and he has to realize that when he goes out, he can easily dominate over the likes of Malone and Medvedenko, who are nowhere near his level of height. Shaq on the other hand, as I mentioned earlier, has to keep himself in the game for 48 minutes total. He can't committ any stupid easy to see fouls because the refs will be quick to blow their whistles, and all of a sudden he's back on the bench early in the first quarter. Secondly, Shaq has to bend his huge knees, and find a way to put rotation on the ball at the charity stripe. Shaq has been killing us at the line with his typical clanks off the rim. I don't have his free throw percentage with me right now, but for my estimate he's 10/36 from the line which is horrific. If Shaq can find a way to knock down simple free throws, he can easily take the Rockets out of the game and they wouldn't have to play so many nailbiters.
Advantage Tonight: Lakers

<div align="center">Players To Watch Game 5
</div>

<div align="center">Steve Francis & Karl Malone</div>

<div align="center">Francis: 18.0 pts, 5.50 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.76 steals
Malone: 13.2 pts, 8.70 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.25 steals</div>


Laker Fever's Prediction

With the Lakers up 3-1 in this series back in Los Angeles, they know and understand that they don't want to go back into Houston for a Game 6, and they definitely don't want the Rockets to gain any kind of momentum to even attempt to try and win on their homecourt. So I really feel the Lakers will end this series quickly on a good note, and prepare for the San Antonio Spurs. The team that ended their reign for four consecutive championships. And let me tell ya, it will be an all-out war. Lakers by 13.

 

Lakers by 13... ? Harsh...

I'll take the Lakers by 3. I don't possibly see how they can win by that large of a margin, far too lazy for that.

I hope they don't pass the ball to Kobe, and Malone has another killer game. As long as we get the win. Kobe has been shooting horribly.. god, doesn't he always?

Oh and... I don't think that the Spurs eliminating the Lakers last year bothers Kobe, Kobe and Shaq both played like they didn't care if they won or not. Obviously it wasn't important to them if they won. Sad... and yet they get paid in the millions. What a bunch of lazy athletes.

Edit: Very nice preview btw.

 

Great preview. I also expect this game to be close, but I do expect the Lakesters to pull this one out. Maybe another Kobe Highlight shot.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe Krazy:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh and... I don't think that the Spurs eliminating the Lakers last year bothers Kobe, Kobe and Shaq both played like they didn't care if they won or not. Obviously it wasn't important to them if they won. Sad... and yet they get paid in the millions. What a bunch of lazy athletes.</div>

Nah, I think it meant something to Kobe. If it didn't mean anything, he never would've cried on national TV in public. And he'd never do an interview with Jim Gray after the game with reddish eyes and his voice choked out.

But ahhh yes the revenge. I love it.

 

great preview man...


I have a feeling the Rockets are gonna come out and play this game, and take a lead early...Lakers come back and win by 2...GP needs to get out of his funk NOW

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe Krazy:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers by 13... ? Harsh...

Oh and... I don't think that the Spurs eliminating the Lakers last year bothers Kobe, Kobe and Shaq both played like they didn't care if they won or not. Obviously it wasn't important to them if they won. Sad... and yet they get paid in the millions. What a bunch of lazy athletes.

</div>Like Laker_fever said, why would he cry if it meant nothing to him? Stop with these lame excuses.

Anyways, anyone else hear that Kobe might be late or might not play at all tonight depending on when his trial is over in Colorado? Something to consider.

The Lakers better win tonight or else this series will go to 7 games.

 

Excellent preview Laker_Fever_834. I think this is the end for the Rockets, as I know, like you said, Kobe will have a really big game(especially in elimination games like Minnesota/2002-2003 season or the blazers/2000-2001 or Kings/2001-2002). But i do not agree with you about the score, i think the game will be won the Lakers by 5. And then the best series is yet to come as the Lakers face San Antonio, winner will go on to win championship.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyways, anyone else hear that Kobe might be late or might not play at all tonight depending on when his trial is over in Colorado? Something to consider.</div>

If that's the case, expect Kareem Rush to play for part of the first quarter, then watch Kobe come out of the Laker tunnel suited up in uniform, and who knows? Even though this wasn't part of my prediction, he could win the game by knocking down a game-winning shot. Remember that Denver game??

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Like Laker_fever said, why would he cry if it meant nothing to him? Stop with these lame excuses.

Anyways, anyone else hear that Kobe might be late or might not play at all tonight depending on when his trial is over in Colorado? Something to consider.

The Lakers better win tonight or else this series will go to 7 games.</div>

I guess some people are just lazy and emotional?

I dunno, I think I was in a bad mood when I posted that. Not to mention the anger I felt when I thought of all the sacrifices I make to watch these dudes play, namely last year when they played with no heart what-so-ever against the Spurs.

Paid millions in cash.. to do what? 48 minutes of Basketball, 3 times a week? At least have some heart, please.

 

I'll have to go with Shapecity on this one. It will be close. Perhaps just 1 point.

If Kobe misses the first quarter or the first half its GP turn to show what his game is all about. Lets see why he got the nickname "The Glove". We all know he can do it but lately he aint showing it. Step up G and show us how to play this game

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting theclown1:</div><div class="quote_post">I'll have to go with Shapecity on this one. It will be close. Perhaps just 1 point.

If Kobe misses the first quarter or the first half its GP turn to show what his game is all about. Lets see why he got the nickname "The Glove". We all know he can do it but lately he aint showing it. Step up G and show us how to play this game</div>

Yeap, I've been waiting to see GP play great one time this season. I really can't remember seeing him playing a real great game this whole season. I hope he goes for 21/5/4/1/10 tonight.

 

Yeah I agree 30, he really hasn't had a good game lately and I'm really hoping he will have a big one tonight. Whether or not Kobe plays, I expect the Lakers to come out strong in this one to get some rest before the Spurs matchup. We need every bit of rest we can get with all the injuries.. Lakers by 12

 

It's hard for GP to have great overall games because of the system he is in. Gary is still a good post up player but he isn't able to do that thanks to Phil Jackson's style.

I just want for you guys to get this game over with so the real NBA finals can take place.

 

Rockets have a shot at this game if they run pick n roll every second that Shaq is on the floor. Sorry Jeff, but while having Yao create from the post is usually the best option, it's not the case against the Lakers.

 

Is kobe playing tonight? I thought he was in colorodo? (sorry about the spelling)

 

Kobe is playing he showed up at Staples about 20 minutes before tip off.I think Kobe will be exausted from traveling,but with me saying this he will probaly score 50 points.Though he does play good everytime he comes back from court.Remember he made a game winner in LA vs Denver after coming back from Colorado.

 

I can't believe they managed a 25 point lead. About time they totaly dominated and Kobe's fake outs on Mobley was great. Good game for Malone too.

 

I'll say it right now....

Kobe is the best player in the NBA.

He is Mr.Clutch. He does anything he wants to in 4th quarters.

KG, yes, has the stats, but he still can't finish off a team like Kobe can.

I'll have some more to say when the Lakers/Spurs preview is up.