Lakers/Rockets OT (November 4th, 2009)

Great game, much more competitive and exciting than one might expect of a regular season game in November. It's a shame the Rockets couldn't get a shot off at the end there making the final 13 seconds a bit anti-climactic, but it was a great defensive effort by the Lakers culminating with Fisher's steal. By rights, the Rockets could've won it in regulation but Kobe did his thing down the stretch and Artest's three was a dagger. I was glad to see Ariza nail the three to send it into OT, I wasn't ready to see the game end and the Rockets earned another shot at winning the game. Sadly, it wasn't to be. Credit the Lakers for not giving up and taking care of business, but the Rockets certainly missed having a proven go to guy/takeover player in the fourth quarter and got a little sloppy. But again, great game.

A few other thoughts:

• Bynum looked impressive and the Rockets just didn't have the size to contend with him, but he missed a lot of shots around the basket, fumbling what should've been easy points for a player his size. Dunks are kind of maligned these days, but I think there's a lot to be said for going up strong and putting it down with the highest percentage shot in the game. Still, he nailed the free throw that gave them the win and finished with 17, 17 and 5 so it's not too shabby a game on the whole.
  
  
• David Andersen was a disappointment in his five minutes, he didn't look too comfortable out there. I was hoping he'd get more of a run and contribute more than he did, but I can't fault Adelman for keeping him out of the game. Gotta give it up for Chuck Hayes, you wouldn't expect him to be the one making clutch baskets but he got a couple down the stretch. Carl Landry played a fine game after missing his first two shots and then coming back to hit nine of his next ten. Luis Scola overdribbled a bit at times and was a bit careless at times but he was solid as well.
  
  
• As I mentioned in the other thread, it wasn't really Ariza's night and apart from the big three to send the game into overtime, he wasn't all that impressive. He was just jacking up shots for a while there and the final numbers in the boxscores certainly reflect that, but he certainly seems willing to step into a bigger role this year and try to shoulder more of the scoring load. He's a fine player, but once again I wouldn't call him a bonafide All-Star just yet.
  
  
• For the Lakers' sake, I hope Gasol returns soon as I don't think they can afford to have too many games like this. They can win them in the short term because they've got the talent and the ultimate go to guy in the league today, but I'm not sure they want Kobe playing 40+ minutes per game during the regular season and becoming spent come Playoff time...or their other key players for that matter, just to win games in November. Of course, they need to be winning now so they can stay near the top of the West and lock up homecourt advantage come the postseason, but I think overeliance on Kobe - as great a player and as tremendous an athlete as he is - will come back to haunt them.
  
  
• Allowing the referees to go to the video on out of bounds calls was a great move. In the end it the Rockets still lost, but anything that allows the referees to make the right call can only benefit the game and with the integrity of NBA officiating under fire more than ever, it's important that calls like that are cleaned up because they are the kind of subtle things that can change the course of the game and if they're making the right call according to what we can all plainly see on video, that's one less quibble we can fairly make about the officiating.

The Rockets should have won this as it could have been a great confidence boost. Ariza must have played out of his ability looking at the stats, 5 for 21 isn't too impressive. Landry, I think he could be a difference maker on any given nights, just like in tonight's game.

Bynum looked impressive

I've been really happy with the way that Bynum has been playing since the preseason. He's really stepped up and I do hope he does not get injured this season.

David Andersen was a disappointment in his five minutes, he didn't look too comfortable out there.

I don't really hold much hope of Andersen getting court time with the Rockets. From all accounts of him, it seems that he just does not cut it on the defensive end and that's really unfortunate.

As I mentioned in the other thread, it wasn't really Ariza's night and apart from the big three to send the game into overtime, he wasn't all that impressive. He was just jacking up shots for a while there and the final numbers in the boxscores certainly reflect that, but he certainly seems willing to step into a bigger role this year and try to shoulder more of the scoring load. He's a fine player, but once again I wouldn't call him a bonafide All-Star just yet.

Very glad that he is getting more confident stepping up into his role as 'the man' alongside the likes of Aaron Brooks. He sure has the athleticism and skills to be a lead player. All-Star, perhaps not but a dependable scorer who can give you 20 a night... I think he is capable of becoming that.

I hope Gasol returns soon

Me too!

I've been really happy with the way that Bynum has been playing since the preseason. He's really stepped up and I do hope he does not get injured this season.

He's gotta finish those easy ones though. It might have just been one of those nights but as I said before I thought on some of his missed attempts he should've gone up strong for the dunk, don't give it as much of a chance to catch the back of the rim or fall short.

The Lakers haven't been that good on the road. A narrow win over Oklahoma City and now Houston. I guess things will change when Pau's back.
(Although I hope not )

I've been really happy with the way that Bynum has been playing since the preseason. He's really stepped up and I do hope he does not get injured this season.

He's gotta finish those easy ones though. It might have just been one of those nights but as I said before I thought on some of his missed attempts he should've gone up strong for the dunk, don't give it as much of a chance to catch the back of the rim or fall short.

Yeah, I think I remember seeing from Lakers/Clippers, Bynum barely went up for dunks even when he had the chance to.

Actually...it should be noted that Bynum is currently leading the league in dunks, so it's not like he's averse to dunking. But there were times in that game when he should've finished strong; I'm all for big men having a wide variety of moves in the post but when you're right under the basket, much better to finish with a simple dunk then fumble a tip or layup attempt.

Actually...it should be noted that Bynum is currently leading the league in dunks, so it's not like he's averse to dunking. But there were times in that game when he should've finished strong; I'm all for big men having a wide variety of moves in the post but when you're right under the basket, much better to finish with a simple dunk then fumble a tip or layup attempt.

I'm sure Pau can teach him a thing or too when he's back.

The commentators noted Bynum's 48 minutes he played hours earlier in their overtime win over the Thunder, which he played pretty well in. I wasn't at all surprised at his inability to finish strong late in the 4th and OT period with the minutes he played. If he keeps on blowing these gimme shots I'll change my mind.

Chuck Hayes. That's all I have to say. He's been the most impressive Rockets thus far along with Aaron Brooks. Ariza has been playing well too but I feel he's trying to do too much. His shot selections are terrible and he's a soft finisher around the basket. I had no idea why he tried to dribble into the traffic when the game was on the line. He shouldn't have forced it and at least get a shot attempt. The fact that Carl Landry didn't get to play towards the end of the game really frustrated me. He was the hottest player and he only had one foul, why not play him? Nonetheless great, great effort by the Rockets. I strongly think that they should have won this game but still, LA was the better team at the end. Turnovers killed the Rockets. I think this proves how tough they are and how hard they fight.

Turnovers killed the Rockets.

Agreed, the 19-9 discrepency did not do Houston any favours. I thought they panicked a bit when the Lakers started making their run in the fourth and the lack of a true, established go to guy to settle things down and take control hurt them, with several opportunities blown through turnovers during that stretch.

I thought they panicked a bit when the Lakers started making their run in the fourth and the lack of a true, established go to guy to settle things down and take control hurt them, with several opportunities blown through turnovers during that stretch.

Absolutely. This is a young team consists of mainly role players and the lack of a go-to guy really hurt them. Aaron Brooks also have to learn how to pass or dribble out of a double team instead of picking up his dribble. He panicked and picked up his dribble right away after LA double-teamed him and committed several turnovers as a result.