11/07: RETRIBUTION AGAINST DWIGHT LAKERS @ Houston Rockets Q-by-Q Reaction

4th Quarter:

Score: LAL 99 HOU 98

The Black Mamba out in the clutch? No problem. The Blake Mamba has arrived! Oh man, it was another 2nd half meltdown, but man did that last Hack-a-Dwight strategy worked. He missed both free throws to seal it, we almost turned the ball over. Fortunately Lakers had a final timeout to set up one more play, busted defensive assignments from the Rockets to leave Steve Blake wide open for the game winning 3. Stay tuned for the full recap.

3rd Quarter:

Score: LAL 81 HOU 77

Just as I expected, we're letting Houston hang around. A pretty bad 3rd Quarter for the Lakers, even though we stayed calm under pressure to keep the lead. Wesley Johnson and Jodie Meeks made big buckets when we needed it the most and that is why we're still clinging to a four point lead. Gasol's got to get it going, he has been shooting poorly and Nash has been giving him good looks and he just can't convert. It is expected, the Rockets would come back storming in the 2nd half, but we just gotta stay calm and play at our pace as the 4th Quarter commences.

2nd Quarter:

Score: LAL 64 HOU 50

It's raining threes, hallelujah it's raining threes (and Dwight Howard's bricks on the free throws). Unbelievable shooting displays, although the turnovers helped the Rockets get back in the game as well as the fouls, but liking how we're staying poised regardless if Houston's making a run. Onto the halftime report.

1st Quarter:

Score: LAL 36 HOU 19

It's great to be back. From what I saw in the first quarter, great start, just what the doctor ordered. If the Lakers want to hang around with an explosive offensive team like the Rockets they have to start fast. Steve Blake obviously the catalyst scoring from the same position 3 times beyond the arc and the team followed along. Good defense to start the game, hot start on offense to start the game, if Gasol can get going and we keep this up, the sky's the limit for the Laker team to make Dwight Howard's first game against the team since leaving LA start on a sour note.