Rockets Aim to Clutch Series Control, Scramble with Lakers in Game 2
The Greatness Test. L.A. Fosters in Help. Mirroring Urgency.
“Great men are not born great, they grow great,” one the many riveting quotes from The Godfather, brings to mind tonight’s measure of greatness, as the Rockets and Lakers play Game 2. This greatness applies specifically to James Harden. LeBron James has always been great. Labeled “The Choses One” back in high school, LBJ was a star from day one in this league. On the other hand, Harden, has gone from Sixth Man of the Year, to arguably the greatest offensive force the game’s ever seen, and one of the league’s best players. Houston needs one of those “Unguardable Tour” performances from the Beard tonight. Game 2 is the equality of Mission Impossible for the Houston Rockets. Harden and the Rockets dominated the Lakers almost from start-to-finish in Game 1. LeBron James didn’t score in the fourth quarter, and only had 20 points. Expect “King James” to play with an added sense of urgency from the opening tip. As great a job as Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, and Robert Covington did in Game 1 guarding LeBron, they all have to be prepared from tonight’s incoming freight train. The task will not be easy. Anthony Davis is ready to wreak havoc in the paint. Everyone on the squad needs to help out, forcing Alex Caruso, and the other Lakers to beat Houston gives them a better chance.
The Rockets have to mirror L.A.’s sense of urgency in Game 2. Just because Houston won Game 1 does NOT mean it’s time to get comfortable, and be satisfied with a 1-1 series split. If Harden and the Rockets get complacent, they’re in big trouble in a game that’s already got Houston’s back against the wall. The Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s darlings and favorite franchise are down 0-1 in a series the league desperately wants to see L.A. win, so they can get their precious Lakers-Clippers matchup in the Western Conference Finals. So what does the NBA do? They bring in the cavalry for Game 2: referee Scott Foster. An official who believes the spotlight’s on him, and that viewers are tuning in just to see his corrupt egomaniacal antics. Houston’s most-hated ref arrives just in time to try and save the day for L.A. Before Game 7’s win over OKC, a game which Foster also officiated, but featured his archenemy in Chris Paul as well, the Rockets had lost the previous seven playoff games Foster officiated. The only reason Houston survived Game 7, and prevented Foster from wrecking the Rockets plan agains, is the only thing Scott Foster hates more than the Houston Rockets, is president of the NBA Players Association, who happens to be Chris Paul. Houston got lucky, besides being great down the clutch in Game 7 to win a Foster-officiated game in which the result carried such weight and value. If the Rockets have any chance of taking an impressive 2-0 lead in this series, Houston has to match L.A.’s sense of urgency, and play hard for 48 minutes.
Harden, Russell Westbrook and the entire squad needs to possess a killer mindset Sunday night on primetime with the bright lights, and everyone watching. The Lakers are down, which will no doubt garner more viewers for Game 2, as most people don’t recognize the Rockets as contenders. So these causal fans will be tuned in tonight. And despite how well they played in the first game, Houston needs to dial everything up if they’re going to match LeBron and the Lakers attempt to exert their will on Houston tonight. LeBron is poised to have one of those 38-point triple double tonight. And expect Anthony Davis to finish with even more than the 25 points and 14 rebounds he had in Game 1. Little does he know, he can change positions like P.J. Tucker changes shoes, but Tucker will always be AD’s primary defender. The good news for Houston is, they shot only 36% from beyond the arc in Game 1. The Rockets didn’t have their best offensive night, but it was good enough with their great defense to outplay the Lakers. If Houston wants to beat L.A. and their newest player, Scott Foster, tonight the Rockets need to shoot the lights out. Foster can make every call in L.A.’s favor, but if the shots are falling for the Rockets, their’s nothing Foster can do but watch in misery.
As much as the refs can will be on LeBron and the Lakers side, Houston has a chance if they don’t get apathetic and off to a bad start. The Rockets need to keep their foot on their gas, and show the “Lakers in 5” predictors that H-Town’s for real. Houston has to take advantage of every scenario in Game 2. Los Angeles will no doubt make adjustments, but they know they can’t guard Harden or Russell Westbrook. And the Beard and Brodie know they’re unstoppable. Both Houston’s superstars have a chance to add to their respective legacies tonight with an impressive win. Most notably for Harden, well, Westbrook too, but since Harden will get more slander if the Rockets bow out early again in the playoffs, this series is about the Beard. Can Harden be great enough to put the Rockets up 2-0? With the league fostering LeBron help to try and ensure Houston won’t put L.A. in an 0-2 hole, Westbrook needs to be even better in Game 2 as well. And Eric Gordon needs to continue his shooting roll. If Splash Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington get the help they need on defense, and Houston ups the intensity from Game 1 on Sunday night, there’s nothing even Scott Foster can do to stop the Rockets.
Regardless of who’s officiating the game tonight, this one comes down to whichever team plays with more sense of urgency. The Lakers know they’re in trouble. Expect LeBron to be great, and L.A. to come out swinging. If the “other” Lakers don’t suddenly all have Lu Dort-like Game 7 performances, Houston has enough firepower to weather the Lakers early storm. Harden and the Rockets grain control of the series with a win tonight, or LeBron further cements his legacy, and keeps the Lakers in the series. And the pressure of a Game 7 with LeBron, something no team wants to face, becomes more of a reality. I’ll just take a random guess now, but something in my gut tells me, if this series goes the distance, don’t be surprised if Scott Foster’s the lead official in that game too. In order to avoid a LeBron Fostered Game 7, Houston needs a lights out shooting performance tonight to really to make the Lakers start to sweat. This is as tough as it gets for the Rockets. L.A. earned the West’s number one seed for a reason. LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time, and is bound to have a bounce back performance. With LBJ leading the sense of urgency for the Lakers, Houston needs to be in attack-mode on offense, and put the pressure on L.A. early in the game. If the Rockets are ready to launch, they’ll get off to a good start and weather the incoming Laker storm. But Houston needs to keep its foot torched on the gas pedal. It’s a measure of greatness tonight. 36 points from the Beard isn’t going to cut it for Houston tonight. The Rockets need more from Harden and Russ, to prevent LBJ and the Lakers from making a statement. It’s time to show everyone: after all, it’s a small-ball basketball world. LeBron might have been born as the “chosen one”, lauded on the cover of Sports Illustrated since he was in high school. But after years of improvement, dedication, and growth into greatness, right now… Harden’s the chosen one.
AdventHealth Arena: Orlando, Florida
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (1-0): Red
Los Angeles Lakers (0-1): Black
TV: 7:30 PM CT – ABC