Back 2 Earth: Rockets Fall 117-109, as Lakers Even Series
Russ-ian Roulette. Switching Gears. Out of Gas.
Houston trailed 42-21 in the second quarter, as Game 2 appeared to be all Lakers, but it wasn’t too late for a comeback. Except, the Rockets rallied to even retake the lead in a stunning comeback. However, the squad ran out of steam towards the end, losing Game 2 to L.A., 117-109, as we’ve got an even series on our hands. Houston had a chance to win this game. In fact, they should have won this game. If it weren’t for Russell Westbrook’s Giannis’-like antics, the Rockets are up 2-0 right now. Russ was simply out of control, turning the ball over in key clutch possessions as Houston tried to save its comeback. The comeback required maximum effort, and after playing every other day for the last two weeks, maybe fatigue caught up with the Rockets near the end.
In Westbrook’s case, he needs to play smarter. Russ had 7 ugly turnovers. It looks like his mind is moving faster than his body. We all know Westbrook only knows one way to play: at 110% ferocity. Well, he needs to learn how to switch gears when necessary. Houston’s Ferrari on the court has to slow down. These costly turnovers will cost the Rockets their season if Brodie can’t learn to play with more poise. James Harden had 27 points for Houston, and shot the ball well, but with his partner in crime, Westbrook, losing his mind with his frenetic play, cost Houston the game. Brodie took seven shots from distance. Westbrook hadn’t taken more than six threes since January. Brodie needs to stick to attacking the basket. He’s never been a long-distance shooter. Russ knows the mistakes he made, and he’ll play better in Game 3. Westbrook has to perform under control, if the Rockets want any chance of gaining the upper hand in this series.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis performed to expectations to lead the Lakers. LeBron had close to a 28-point triple-double. AD finished with 34 points and 10 boards. But it was the insanely-hot shooting of Markieff Morris who had a spurt of four straight made three’s (and went 5-5 for the game from deep) that gave the L.A. such a size-able advantage, and allowed the Lakers to hold off the Rockets. Kyle Kuzma had 13 points in 21 minutes for L.A., but otherwise, Houston is a much-deeper team than the Lakers. We can argue all day who has the better superstars, but after each team’s best two players… the Rockets bench, and rest of the squad is much more talented and experienced than L.A.’s
Despite the loss, Houston has some positive notes to take out of Game 2’s loss. They trailed by 21, but rallied to take the lead, and probably would have sealed the comeback without Brodie’s turnover-frenzy. Markief Morris isn’t shooting 5-for-5 to save the Lakers, again. The Rockets seemed to figured out the Lakers zone in the third quarter, in the midst of the their comeback. And Game 2 will be Westbrook’s worst game in this series. Russ can’t play possibly play any worse in terms of decision-making. Brodie will be back to his usual self, hungry for a win in Game 3. He better be. Or the Rockets are in trouble and they could find themselves trailing in this series, and.. eventually on the trail back home… just a little too soon.