2026 Playoffs: (4) Lakers Vs (5) Rockets - Discussion

especially not this dysfunctional rockets team

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXnrNi9DivL/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

No one's ever given up a 3-0 lead, but very rarely does the less talented team (which we still are, Smart and Luke playing really well doesn't change that) go up 3-0. The C Bags probably would have completed the 3-0 comeback a few years ago if Tatum hadn't turned his ankle in the first minute of that Game 7. We had some shooting variance go our way in the first two games and should have lost Game 3, I am in no way taking for granted that we're going to ultimately finish this off. I think we will finish this off on Wednesday, but I would not be shocked at all if there was a Game 7 next Sunday.

 

Yeah I’m not panicking but I’m not able to dismiss the possibility of a Rockets comeback

There were multiple times in the first 3 wins where I’d think to myself “I don’t know how we’re going to score a bucket here with this decimated lineup” only for us to somehow brute force our way into a crucial momentum preserving score.

I think our team has the grit to find enough ways to continue doing that given we have 3 opportunities to get a single win. But it may depend on 41 year old LeBron having another superhero performance and/or some of our roleplayers hitting some timely threes.

If Austin is able to come back, even at 75ish percent, I think that gives us enough of a scoring/playmaking punch to give me a lot more confidence

 

Stop turning the ball over and they will be fine.Highest Turnover % of any team in the playoffs

 

We do have a lot of boneheaded turnovers that we should be able to cut down on

But we’re not going to be able to eliminate it entirely. It’s easier said than done when you have a current lineup of players not used to or capable of carrying such a large playmaking/ball handling role trying to create offense against a team of athletic defenders.

Like in Game 2 when Kennard had a backcourt violation and 8 second violation I was very annoyed but then I realized it’s a little harsh when we’re relying on Kennard to bring the ball up while being hounded full court by Amen Thompson.

 

Yeah, you're going to turn the ball over with Luka and AR out. They're your 2 better ball handlers.
Plus, the team wants to score in transition as much as possible to get easier points which increases the risk of bad passes

Still, it's something they need to improve and find a balance

 

I saw a lot of fatigue turnovers yesterday. Rockets looked a step ahead of the Lakers on most plays.

 

I don’t really agree. In game 3 we were the better team through three quarters. We had our chances to go up with Luke’s 3 that was in and out and then we got fouled on the last 3 attempts of regulation before the Marcus steal and free throws. Afterwards we whipped them in OT. That team started imploding after that game.

They bring it in game 4 and have a very good shooting night, our effort defensively is good, but we have 23 turnovers and gift them 30 easy points. That’s all it is, we got carless, how is Okogie/Holiday robbing LeBron a handful of times dribbling up the court. We just didn’t have enough in the gas tank that night (Lebron especially).

I see no reason why game 5 we won’t be rested and eliminate those carless turnovers. You do that and we will win the game no doubt.

 

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