The Lakers expecially Kobe was scorching in the first half, but I guess they thought it was college and didn't show up for the 3rd and 4th. Overall the Lakers shot better, except from free throws, outrebounded and outblocked the young Rockets, held the league's 2nd leader scorer to 3/19 shooting and somehow even when holding a 13 point lead with 10 minutes to go with their starter resting, the Lakers walked off the floor with a second straight loss, this one just by a deuce. While they deffinately looked better than Sunday's embarrasment, it is just baffling this experienced group cannot seem to gel and keep executing the games most basic plays such as rebounding. In a sport of runs no lead is safe if they're is time and the clock keeps stopping. While most haters will blame Howard for his free throw woes and yes that hurt, the problem goes back to the Mike Brown start, turnovers and defense, and poor bench play, you can also add second opportunities for the oppenent, Houston had 21 offensive boards to the Lakers 14, that's not gonna get it done. Still now missing another starter with the ailing Gasol, joing future Hall of Famer Nash, and reserve guard Blake, the Lake Show played well up until the last 10 minutes where they picked up 6 of their 18 turnover in that span and could not even get a shot thanks to Howard costly freebies. But these are the Lakers, they're not measured by morale or almost wins. If they lose they're garbage, embarrasing, or dissapointing, while any other team going through the same is "moving in the right direction", so with now a 3-5 record under D'Antoni, the Lakers are pretty much done with some even counting them out of the playoffs, seriously? Sure it's been disspointing, but have they really been getting their ass kicked? Considering they haven't played their full core once this season and their point man who happens to be one of the best ever has only played what 5 quarters? Blake was playing well and now is out, and Gasol has been playing hurt and yet several of those losses could have gone the other way, are they really this bad? Of the 10 losses, 4 have been by double digits, with 16 being the worst loss vs. the Kings. 3 Have been by 2 points, 2 of those games against quality teams, they could have easily been 11-7, and they have really made runs on all games, they just have come short, mostly to turnovers and missed assignments, both correctable. So haters have your fill, have your laughs, as long as the Lakes stay on the playoff hunt and click at the right time, we'll see who's laughing at the end. The basketball night was not a total loss, as the Wizards surprised the reigning Chumps to double their win total, that was funny.
Player of the Game: Reserve Tony Douglas with Linsanity struggling tallied 22 points on 8/17 shooting 3 dimes, and 2 steals in 28 minutes.
X-Factor: Greg Smith contributed nicely off the bench 21 points 9 rebounds in just 24 minutes.
Should Have Been Benched: They already were, the whole Lakers bench, who got out scored as unit by two reserve Rockets off the bench, Douglas and Smith.
Laker Hater: Greg Smith totaled in this game 1 more rebound and 1 less point than the last 3 games combined. Ha!
Overtime. Mamba is not only 13 points away from scoring 30,000 points, grounded Jamison had a season high 3 blocks.
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