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

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by JDLakersFan2019, Apr 12, 2026.

?

Who wins the series?

  1. Lakers in 4 or 5

    3 vote(s)
    10.7%
  2. Lakers in 6

    1 vote(s)
    3.6%
  3. Lakers in 7

    9 vote(s)
    32.1%
  4. Rockets in 4 or 5

    11 vote(s)
    39.3%
  5. Rockets in 6

    4 vote(s)
    14.3%
  6. Rockets in 7

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Panko

    Panko - Lakers 6th Man -

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    This might work defensively but is pretty rough offensively. I hope that when LeBron is out, all of our best remaining players are in.

    Kennard, Smart, LaRavia, Rui, Ayton.

    It's possible to manage the minutes for this, if JJ tries to. If it's no LeBron and 3 bench players, it could be a disaster.
     
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  2. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers Starter -

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    True but I think our offense will always struggle with the current setup. And better defense generates easier offense. We were getting in transition with this group. Smart was available so if you plug him in it's a bit better

    Plus, with their off rebounding they'll get multiple 2nd opportunities so we really gotta limit their efficiency and 2nd chances.
    They had 47% Offensive Rebound% in the season series with us. 39% is the record in the league. We are a very bad rebounding team. We really need to make up ground there
    If they score in every possession because they get rebounds until they make it, no offense can offset that.

    I think Vando plays a key role in this matchup.
    I also imagine we role some small ball lineups with Bron, Rui and Vando together

    I also think Kennard will struggle in this series
     
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  3. Panko

    Panko - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Yeah, I like the Vando, Rui, LeBron frontline construction when Sengun is out. Then plug in 2 of Smart, Kennard, and LaRavia.

    I think Kennard needs to do well for us to have a chance. If you're right about him struggling, we could be toast.

    In the lineup you proposed earlier, if you plug in Smart instead of Bronny, it looks fine for a backup unit. Smart, LaRavia, Vando, Rui, Ayton. I still prefer having 2 out of 3 of Smart, LeBron, and Kennard out there though, bc in the above lineup, if they double Smart (or Bronny if you had him in there), then the offense falls apart and it's probably an automatic turnover on lots of possessions.
     
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  4. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Great point, that lineup is going to have to survive a good 12 mins without Lebron. I’m curious if JJ will throw Nick Smith Jr in at times to try to generate some offense. Not long now…
     
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  5. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    hope i get to watch this one as it's happening tonight (with children it's dicey). just curious to see if jj has some fun tricks to try to get the drop on houston.
     
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  6. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Children? Lakers?

    :Jeanie Srsly:
     
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  7. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Shouldn’t your children be watching with you?
     
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  8. LALakersFan4Life

    LALakersFan4Life - Rookie -

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  9. LALakersFan4Life

    LALakersFan4Life - Rookie -

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  10. LALakersFan4Life

    LALakersFan4Life - Rookie -

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  11. LALakersFan4Life

    LALakersFan4Life - Rookie -

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  12. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    MUST win for us. You have to seize this opportunity. Then test that knee his first game back.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2026 at 4:29 PM
  13. BadCoaching

    BadCoaching - Rookie -

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    Interesting K.D. is probably out, he was a tank this season. Must be hurtin pretty good, you know he wants to advance badly.
     
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  14. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    With Sengun being the guy, I force he and Sheppard in every single action until Udoka makes an adjustment and pulls one of them or you get them in foul trouble. Time to go hunting (not Malone style).
     
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  15. JDLakersFan2019

    JDLakersFan2019 - Rookie -

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    Did you see our last game against OKC? I’m not buying it. We looked like we didn’t even belong on the same court as those guys. The same thing has happened in multiple matchups against the Thunder. We just don’t have the athleticism to match up with that team even if Luka and Reaves are healthy.
     
  16. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    I don't agree. They were a better team last year and we beat them before the playoffs. It's one game, where we made alot of mistakes. We're nowhere near as bad, and they're nowhere near as good as that single instance.

    I think they have the perimeter defence to bother us. But we also have the wings to bother them, Lebron and Luka are really good against them when we settle down. We can compete with OKC at our best. It's just when they're at their best, they have more horses than we do and end up ahead.

    If we had one more good starting player like a Wiggins, we're right there with them. Next year when they lose a few pieces, and we add a few, it'll be close.
     
  17. FrontOfJersey22

    FrontOfJersey22 - Lakers All Star -

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    Tell me again just how much Hayes has developed his “non foul” game.
    Three fouls in six minutes.
     
  18. D-Fish Man

    D-Fish Man - Lakers 6th Man -

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    You ask for a miracle, I give you the F-B-I (Durant’s knee contusion).
     
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  19. FrontOfJersey22

    FrontOfJersey22 - Lakers All Star -

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    Yeah, right.
    Let’s just let Kennard walk by offering him a pitiful vet min this summer.
    Dude deserves more, and should get it from us.
     
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  20. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Great balanced game from all the starters tonight, pretty much everyone came with playoff intensity. I still don’t like our chances to win the series, but it would definitely be fun to send Durant home in the first round.
     
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