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

Well everyone showed up game 1.

• Lebron with a masterclass in managing the game 10 assists in the first half to get the team going and then closed out the 4th with some scoring
• Rui played big minutes, competed defensively and hit some shots, we needed his points tonight when Lebron was off the floor
• Smart was once again a game changer defensively, but his 8 assists helped us out in the non Lebron mins
• Jake was useful off the bench, gave some of the guys a breather and chipped in

Special mentions to DA who defensively was excellent across the board tonight and scored so efficiently, we don't win it without him. Man of the match probably has to go to Kennard, did his best impression of Luka in the first quarter scoring 11 and then closed it out with some 3's.

JJ coached us really well tonight, everything from rotations to minutes, to play calls was a lot better than last year. We out executed them.

One worrying trend is they had 27 more shots than us. I know they get alot of offensive rebounds so they're about 10-15 shots ahead and those offensive rebounds are a result of missing alot of shots. But 27 is playing with fire.

To combat that, we need to get some turnovers down, we had about 6 turnovers in transition and that should be much closer to zero. We have also have to do a better job of keeping them off the offensive boards, at least better than 21-3. If they've got 10 more than us, we can deal with that but not close to 20.

 

Really nice that for once it was one of our role players who stepped up and played out of his mind in a big game. Great job by Kennard who stood out on a night that the whole team stepped up.

 

Big win with plenty to clean up. LeBron toyed with them most of the way. Good sign of what is to come.

 

I'm really not trying to sell you anything. We should win this series and hopefully get Luka and AR back for the next. The playoffs are so much different than the regular season anything can happen. The way LeBron is playing I'm not scared of OKC. Let's enjoy the ride bro.

 

Good ball movement and GREAT win .

 

Thank you @LALakersFan4Life

 

Massive win, just an all around amazing game from everyone involved.
Great mindset, effort, execution, grit. Just awesome to see

Kudos to all the guys, notably JJ and Bron as leaders of this group by instilling belief in them and finding ways to win this tough challenge

We did our job this first game. Still non-favorites but going to this 2nd game in a great position, a LOT of pressure to Houston

 

Rockets don't seem like the most connected group. If we can find a way to steal Game 2 and go up 2-0...I think we could start to see them mentally check out a bit.

Their chemistry has been weird all year with the KD burner stuff, Udoka taking not so veiled shots at Sengun in post game pressers, Udoka benching Sheppard at times when its pretty obvious they need him to play a lot because no one else can dribble the ball. I think everyone on that team knows they're pretty good but ultimately don't have it this year, so if they're in an 0-2 hole with Luka maybe coming back I could see them pack it in rather than try to rally past us just to get lit up by OKC.

 

If we were playing again tomorrow, I'd be pessimistic about Game 2. I don't know if last night was the best punch this group without Luka/Austin can throw, but I think it was close to it. JJ had a really nice tactical game, I like the increase in organized offense and initiating offense with LeBron at the elbows, rather than beyond the arc. Amen's prowess as a perimeter defender is mitigated quite a bit if he's guarding LeBron at the elbow with his back to the basket, rather than guarding a ballhandler beyond the arc.

If I were Udoka, I'd shuffle the matchups to put Jabari on LeBron and Amen on Luke. Use Amen to shut off all of those Luke P&Rs and off the dribble threes and force LeBron into more of a scoring role against a bigger defender. If that's what they do, I like that we're getting LeBron two days off between games.