How scary good would Orlando be if they could just stay out of their own way? I guess give them credit for holding on (actually thank Ray Allen for his shot rattling out at the end), but does anybody not think this series is different as a result? I predicted the Magic to win this one, but now I'm not too sure. We saw it against the Sixers and we saw it again last night... this team has WAY too many lapses of poise and discipline. Teams like that typically don't go too far despite the amount of talent they have. They actually remind me of the Rockets' teams the past couple of years!

Speaking of the Rockets, was that a "statement" game last night? Too many people have been overlooking this Rockets team mainly because of their recent playoff failures. But THIS is a different Rockets team and what they did to the Lakers last night was impressive. Too many NBA fans get caught up in the hoopla of the superstars, but successful teams all have those unsung heroes... how big was little Aaron Brooks last night? He was the difference and made Derek Fisher (who I really respect) look REALLY, REALLY bad AND old. Lakers players and fans are smiling and shrugging off the loss as one bad game, but we heard the same from Blazers fans after game #1 of that series. That said, it WAS only one game and I fully expected the Rockets to steal one in LA. Game #2 is going to be huge. Not so much in terms of who wins and loses, but in how the game is played. If the Rockets look content with winning one on the road and lose badly in Game 2, that doesn't bode well for their chances in this series. A close, hard fought loss and it's still anybody's series. Of course if the Rockets win game 2, series OVER!!
Unfortunately I think the series shifts to Houston on Friday tied 1-1. The NBA and it's officials will see to it. I'm not a conspiracy theorist with regards to sports, but the NBA is my one exception. Remember how badly and blatantly the Kings got screwed a few years back against the Lakers?? Wednesday night will be nothing but a Lakers parade to the free throw line... you can bank on that. Few things in life are that certain.
Keys for the rest of the series...
for the Rockets to win...
1. Aaron Brooks MUST continue to be aggressive. He's still very young and VERY passive at times. If he stays aggressive you force the Lakers to play Farmar and take one of their weapons (in Fisher) off the court.
2. Feed the big man! The Rockets offense is most efficient when it works inside out. They must continue to work it in and let Yao direct the offense.
3. Clog the middle. The Rockets forced the Blazers to make jumpers and advanced. Last night, they did the same to the Lakers and won. It's pretty easy, really... jump shooting teams do not win playoff series. Make them a jump shooting team!
4. Ron Ron's head. Artest MUST keep his eye on the big prize and not get sucked into the games within the games. When he plays with discipline, he's a huge asset. When he gets "outside the box", he's a huge liability!
for the Lakers to win...
1. Limit Yao's touches by fronting him. Why anyone continues to play behind him is a complete mystery to me. There is no better post player in the NBA and if you allow him to catch the ball deep and play behind him, he's going to absolutely carve your defense up. The Rockets offense sputters mightily when you don't let them work through Yao.
2. Attack, attack, attack! Gasol and Bynum MUST be more aggressive at the basket. Playing passive like they did last night plays right into the Rockets game plan.
3. X factors please apply! The Lakers need that spark off the bench. Odom?? Vujacic?? The rockets bench WILL produce! How about yours?
4. Hit the open shot! Neither team did this well last night, but the Rockets made 5 of their 18 three pointers while the Lakers made only 2 of their 18. Rockets +9 and an 8 point win!