Los Angeles at Houston

Fair Currently: Houston, TX
Temp: 55° F
  • Game info: 9:30 pm EDT Thu May 14, 2009
  • TV: ESPN

By CHRIS DUNCAN, AP Sports Writer May 13, 7:13 pm EDT

Preview | Box Score | Recap | Series Breakdown
  • Print

HOUSTON (AP)—The shots stopped falling, the passes that worked in Game 4 were turnovers in Game 5, and every loose ball or whistle seemed to go the Los Angeles’ Lakers way.

Two days after one of the most stirring victories in franchise history, the Houston Rockets suffered one of their worst postseason defeats and now face elimination Thursday in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series with the Lakers.

“We know it’s time to man-up or else it’s going to be golf time,” said forward Shane Battier(notes), held to five points in Game 5 after scoring 23 in Houston’s 99-87 win Sunday.

The Lakers’ 118-78 win on Tuesday matched Houston’s most lopsided playoff loss. The Rockets say don’t count them out just yet, pointing to their propensity for bouncing back after embarrassing defeats.

Houston dropped 11 games by double-digits during the regular season and won the next game 10 times. The Rockets lost 95-84 to Dallas in their regular-season finale, then beat Portland 108-81 in their playoff opener.

“Our margin for error is very slim, so when you have foul trouble and a lot of turnovers it makes our job really tough,” Battier said. “But we’re going to keep shooting 3s and we’re going home and we’ve historically responded very well to double-digit losses this year. That’s our team.”

At this point, the series may hinge more on how the top-seeded Lakers play.

They came out flat and uninspired in Game 4, and the Rockets built a 29-point lead playing without Yao Ming(notes), who broke his left foot the previous game. Kobe Bryant(notes) called the Lakers’ mindset for the game a “dumb mistake,” and Los Angeles left nothing to chance in Game 5, marching to a 25-point halftime lead.

The Lakers have been criticized for failure to sustain mental toughness throughout playoff series, and Bryant said he’ll demand that younger players come out focused in Game 6.

“Every game, you’ve got to rebuild your momentum,” he said. “It doesn’t carry over. You’ve got to re-establish what you’re trying to do out there on the floor. The energy and effort we played with (in Game 5) is not going to be enough on Thursday.”

Then again, it might be.

Without Yao, the Rockets are forced to use an undersized lineup, with 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes(notes) starting at center. Lakers coach Phil Jackson started 7-footers Pau Gasol(notes) and Andrew Bynum(notes) to take advantage.

Gasol scored 16 points and Bynum, mostly ineffective in the playoffs, added 14. Lamar Odom(notes), who bruised his back in Game 4, came off the bench to score 10 points in 19 minutes and the Lakers scored 56 points in the paint.

“We can throw over the top,” Jackson said. “We don’t have to use penetration off the dribble when we’ve got that kind of size. We were effective right off the start.”

The Lakers also found a way to handle speedy point guard Aaron Brooks(notes) in Game 5, holding him to 14 points on 4-for-11 shooting. Brooks scored 34 points in Game 4, slicing through the Los Angeles defense for layups or hitting open 3s.

Brooks went 0-for-3 from 3-point range in Game 5, part of Houston’s dismal 5-for-29 night.

“We had active hands and active feet,” Jackson said. “We got back and helped each other defensively and made them make tougher passes.”

So how can Houston extend the series?

The first step is getting off to a good start. The team winning after the first quarter has won all 11 of their postseason games.

“That’s a strange stat everybody keeps throwing out there,” said Houston coach Rick Adelman. “I guess we better pay attention to it. That’s very important. We need to get into the game early.”

Adelman said his team played poor offense from the beginning of Game 5, even though they led 18-12 in the first six minutes. The Lakers finished the opening quarter with a 23-6 burst and the Rockets never challenged again.

“We made some shots early, but I didn’t like the way we were playing. It was fools’ gold,” Adelman said. “We need to have more movement and patience.”

Adelman dismissed the 40-point loss as an anomaly for the Rockets, and he expects a much better performance at the Toyota Center, where they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games.

“It’s very important for us to get our crowd into it and realize that the team that played (Tuesday) is not who we are,” he said. “We’ve got to come out and get ourselves ready to go at the start of the game.”

Updated May 13, 7:13 pm EDT
digg del.icio.us
more

Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Los Angeles 65-17 1st Pacific / 1st West 106.9 99.3 Road 29-12 Won 2 7-3
Houston 53-29 2nd Southwest / 5th West 98.4 94.4 Home 33-8 Lost 1 6-4

Notes

Lakers coach Phil Jackson is breaking with his playoff tradition of wearing the most recent championship ring from his collection of nine NBA titles. "I'm tired of wearing that ring," he said about his 2002 bauble. "I've been wearing it for seven years now." ... G Jordan Farmar played despite tendinitis in his right pinky toe.

Apr 19, 10:25 pm EDT

C Yao Ming scored 23 points on Wednesday, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. ... The Rockets were outscored, 30-14, in the final frame. ... G Kyle Lowry chipped in 15 points off the bench.

Apr 15, 11:31 pm EDT
NBA

972 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. King Arthur
    972. Posted by King Arthur Sun May 17 10:37am EDT

    Report Abuse

    lets go lakers
  2. King Arthur
    971. Posted by King Arthur Sun May 17 10:37am EDT

    Report Abuse

    lets go lakers
  3. King Arthur
    970. Posted by King Arthur Sun May 17 10:37am EDT

    Report Abuse

    lets go lakers
  4. NancyR
    969. Posted by NancyR Sat May 16 10:08pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    WOW......CAN I say HI LAKER HATERS =)


    sooo what if theres a game 7, im all for it! yes it wasnt expected...but who cares. IM A LAKER FAn.. and I can care less if theres a game 7. WE r gona win this..N yes ofcourse CAVS vs LAKers all the way baby!!

    GET over KOBE already..hes playing the game... n he is THEE @#$% n u kno it..thats y u all run ur mouths 24/7 about him!!!


    GO LA LAKERS BBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. evolution
    968. Posted by evolution Sat May 16 10:03pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    go rockets!
  6. vander
    967. Posted by vander Sat May 16 4:47pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    no the lakers did not loose that game phil jackass jackson lost it by playing the wrong people at the wrong time point bynum ans gisol are 7 ft. they cant even block a shot from a 5 ft. guard because they both cant get the lead out long enough to get off the floor, walton who is worthless out there and fisher who is at about half speed and phil continues to let kobie throw up bricks hey a dummy can see that the team on the floor is tired of running up and down the court all night so bricker can keep his point average up now if they make it to denver playinf like that kiss it off or the other solution could boil down to LORD STERN giving the refs. their final instructions that if the LACKERS and CAVS. dont play in the finals the tv ratings will go in the @#$%er, which will cancel the refs. raise for next season hahahahahaha.
  7. aarond
    966. Posted by aarond Sat May 16 2:12pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Well, what happened on the aftermath of game six, just proven that the ball is round. The possible result is not what is always as expected. Yeah, I second in motion with others observation of Yao Ming inside the court during play which is dragging the momentum from fast play to slow play the way their team plays he should adjust to a more quick and transitional game.
  8. pete
    965. Posted by pete Sat May 16 2:03pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    lakers should replace jackson, he is the reasons the lakers is going down.
  9. Drei-kun
    964. Posted by Drei-kun Sat May 16 3:22am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Well well well. Where is this "Rockets is better without Yao" statement coming from? I don't mind if the Rockets lose the series, I just can't believe that these overrated Lakers were beaten over and over again by the undermanned Rockets team. But if the Rockets wins this, I won't be surprised anymore...
  10. Eddie
    963. Posted by Eddie Sat May 16 1:17am EDT

    Report Abuse

    This was a good game for the rockets... They did a lot of things right... The Sunday game will be a huge game for both teams... It will be like the March 18, 2008 game but hopefully they can win this time!!
  11. <i>sydneylord_03</i>
    962. Posted by sydneylord_03 Sat May 16 12:53am EDT

    Report Abuse

    whahaah!! all u guyz suck just like kobe!! KOBE- King of Overrated Ballhog Elbower!!
  12. <i>sydneylord_03</i>
    961. Posted by sydneylord_03 Sat May 16 12:51am EDT

    Report Abuse

    whahaah!! all u guyz suck just like kobe!! KOBE- King of Overrated Ballhog Elbower!!
  13. Kobe S. Upot
    960. Posted by Kobe S. Upot Fri May 15 11:58pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Los Angeles@#$%ers how does scola's ass taste!!!! KOBE(King Of Ballhog/Brick Elbower) is GAY!!!
  14. Francis
    959. Posted by Francis Fri May 15 10:42pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    hahaha kobe will cry in game 7 just like in the finals against boston. i hate lakers losersssss
  15. cavsfancanton
    958. Posted by cavsfancanton Fri May 15 9:21pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    WOW, you guys are still going at it?
  16. micaela m
    957. Posted by micaela m Fri May 15 9:15pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Wahahaah LAKERS AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES GO HAND AND HAND WAHAHAH . Lakers have become a joke in the NBA even if the Rockets lose the damage is done they got took to 7 games by a half ass team
  17. #1
    956. Posted by #1 Fri May 15 8:21pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Jack G, I love the retard comement, it's only the 50th time i've heard that one in you're horrible post....I know it's becoming really hard for you to grasp but ill explain it one more time......Get ready, here it comes for the 10th time.......The Rockets match up better with the Lakers without Yao Ming....... I didn't say their better without Yao against every team. Specifically the Lakers.....I think it's obvious to most people in the world that the Lakers are having problems with the Rockets speed and when Yao's out they have a lot of it. When Yao's in the game the offense is ran through him....Which means they wait for him to woddle up the floor and then play in a half court offense giving the Lakers more time to set up defensively. Yao also tires fast and isn't the most active player on the floor and the Lakers exposed that in games two and three. Scola is much more active and actually gets back on defense.... Yao's a horrible match up for most teams but what kills the Lakers is speed and without Yao the Rockets have alot of it...... Like I already said, the Rockets GM himself said that a quicker team will give the Lakers more problems.....I think the GM of the team you love knows more than you.....The final fact that im trying to drill in you're head is, with Yao the Rockets are 1-6 against the Lakers, without Yao their 2-1...If you really don't understand any of this you'll have a long time to think about it after sunday.....Because you won't be seeing another Rockets game till the preseason....Good run though, I give them props
  18. Slick
    955. Posted by Slick Fri May 15 8:19pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Look at how spoiled the Lakers fans are, if they don't win a championship they suck, for going to a game 7 they suck, they should trade Kobe. Can you imagine what it would be like to play for a bunch of low class badwagon fans like these? I can't believe I am even going to say this because I can't stand the Lakers so bad, but the Lakers had a great season they only lost 17 games you should give your team some credit and say thanks for a great season regardless of winning a championship or not. When the Kings were playing great and were the #1 team in the League we didn't treat them that way, we said thanks for a great season and we are proud of you guys for busting your butts every night to bring us great entertainment. I have respect for you Rockets fans the way you have acted through all this, you guys have class and are loyal to your team like we Kings fans are. The Rockets sure have a great coach for many years to come, the Kings are still looking for a coach that is even half as good as he is, I feel like sending the Maloofs a bag of crap for xmas for letting him go. I also noticed at the Rockets game last night there were a ton of hotties in the stands, I have never seen that many attractive women at a basketball game before, not anywhere in the League, you guys sure have it nice there in Houston!
  19. Jose
    954. Posted by Jose Fri May 15 7:53pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    BENOWEN69, i hear ya maing.
  20. <i>benowen69</i>
    953. Posted by benowen69 Fri May 15 7:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yo , whats wrong with starting this 5 : Brown PG, Bryant SG, Odom SF, Bynum PF, Gasol C. Use Farmar, Walton, Ariza off bench.

    otherwise u could go this: Bryant PG, Ariza G, Walton SF, Odom PF, Gasol C

    or : Brown PG, Bryant G, Ariza SF, Odom, Gasol.

    I think u have 7 guys who can start. Brown,Bryant,Ariza,Walton,Odom,Gasol,Bynum.

    I think 1 guy who can play from the bench: Farmar

    1 guys who play with hesitation: Vujachich,

    1 guy who plays only if others have serious foul trouble: Powell

    1 guy who plays mop up minutes to prove himself : Fisher

    1 guy who never plays but dresses: mnegma

    1 guy who can sit on the bench in street clothes: Morrison
  21. RhoelR
    952. Posted by RhoelR Fri May 15 7:30pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yes just like the Lakers purposely dropped games in the first round to get more home games played for the money. Oh wait, that series only went 5 games. Millions down the drain... And I guess neither the Cavs nor the Nuggets need the revenue since they didn't use up all their home games so far...If it's money a team is after, you win the championship (period) because the team's value goes through the roof. You don't risk injuries by playing more games than you need to.
  22. <i>benowen69</i>
    951. Posted by benowen69 Fri May 15 7:24pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    by kevin O Fri May 15 6:24pm EDT Report Abuse
    The sad part about all this: You Lakers fans have more confidence than your own team right now!! Really, who does Kobe trust to hit a big shot?? No one, maybe Farmar (too bad Jackson doesn't play him. Farmar and Brown are both playing good basketball, yet the "Zen Master" sticks with D fish and Sasha)

    wake up fish sucks. u will loose w/ fish starting
  23. Jack G.
    950. Posted by Jack G. Fri May 15 7:22pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    D Day you such a retard... I completely understand that the Rockets are a faster them without Yao, I even said it. But they are not a better team overall, Anyway you are a typical LA faker fan. I bet you were one of the guys that rioted after the fakers won that Championship with SHAQ. No matter what happens Sunday the Lakers will be losers along with their fans for showing lack class, respect and heart. Well like 90% of faker fans are like that. I feel bad for the true Laker fans. All 7.35 million people knew it who watch the game (Most in ESPN history), you should just admit it. Did you see Kobe punk his own teammate Gasol, Hit him in the head, Yeah that is a good way to pump up ur teammate. check it out urself. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=169018&page=2&pp=20 What would you do if he did that to you. And no matter what the Rockets will be winners, They have improved their post season game as a team by light years.
  24. <i>zinggum</i>
    949. Posted by zinggum Fri May 15 7:20pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It's been said time and time again, so let's say it one more time for Leaker fans - Shaq got baby Bryant his rings. And, don't disgrace the NBA by saying Bryant's name in a sentence with Michael Jordan. Michael had an All-Star supporting cast with Pippen and Grant? Sure he did, only because Michael's skill and tenacity elevated those around him to that level......Point, when All-Star Pippen left for Houston he couldn't shoot anymore (to his credit, he still could play defense), he became a very average player and Grant resumed his solid jouneyman rebounding skills, but that's all....It was Jordan who made Pippen, Grant, Longley, Kerr and all excel......Bryant hasn't and can't do that and even Jackson can't make it happen with good team talent. King James can do that, Mike Brown can make it happen....Jackson and Bryant aren't doing it.
  25. Jose
    948. Posted by Jose Fri May 15 7:20pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Lakers are the best team in basketball (not defensively) and there's only a game 7 cus it happens that way sometimes, the lakers aren't the only #1 seed to be playing in a game 7, sometimes it happens that way, but when the lakers win the championship, none of this will matter. Go Lakers! 2009 NBA Champions!
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Rebounds
Assists

Scoreboard

Thursday, May 14

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.