With the Lakers returning home after a bad loss versus the Nuggets, I’m sure everyone expected a different result versus the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, what was on display from the get-go was another lackluster effort from the Lakers. On what should have been a bittersweet night for Trevor Ariza, the evening turned into a full out celebration once the buzzer sounded.

First Quarter: LAL 29 – HOU 23

The Lakers opened the quarter strong with good defense inside and great hustle overall. At one point during the first, the Lakers were able to get out on a great 16-0 run. From here on out though, mental errors, bad shots and great play from the Rockets perimeter players turned the tide and created a battle for the rest of the game. Once the run had subsided, it seemed as if the Lakers offense got terribly stale, resorting to Kobe launching contested turnaround jumpers versus Ariza. Ariza may have started out with some incredibly cold shooting, but his defense more than made up for it. The Rockets closed the quarter strong due to the defense of Trevor and narrowed the gap to 6 points. I honestly expected to see a lot more from the Lakers in the first, and it was unfortunate to see them give up the nice lead created from the early run.

Second Quarter: LAL 54 – HOU 52

The reserves came in and played well to start the second, but Phil didn’t sit Kobe long, and he returned after a short rest and 8:51 to play. From the mid point of the quarter, the Rockets were able to consistently penetrate off the dribble (Brooks, Buddinger) and create open looks for outside shooters. Kobe was never able to get it going throughout the first half and was ice cold to finish the quarter. Once it was obvious that the Rockets were dictating the tempo of the game, I found it shocking that Bynum wasn’t force-fed in the post! With the huge size advantage at center, that should have been the number one option all night. Although the Lakers were able to take a small lead into the second half, it was obvious the Rockets had taken control of the game. All energy and hustle plays went to the Rockets, and the Lakers once again looked a step slow all night.

Third Quarter: LAL 73 – HOU 80

Opening the third quarter has historically been a problem for this Lakers team, and it’s not a great sign to see this continuing this season. At least in Denver it was possible to blame it on the altitude, or the second night of a back-to-back. Tonight the Lakers once again showed that its becoming a trend and not a fluke and gave the first five minutes away to a hungrier Rockets team. Kobe was still ice cold, and for whatever reason the team didn’t go to Bynum inside. On top of this, throw in some horrific three point shooting and you end up down 7 entering the third. Something to keep an eye on defensively: who is going to slow the quick penetrating point guard now that Trevor is gone? Aaron Brooks killed the Lakers all night on dribble drives and dead on three point shooting.

Fourth Quarter: LAL 91 – HOU 101

What started in the third was continued throughout the fourth, and the Rockets were able to pull ahead of the Lakers for good. Throughout the quarter and game, the outside shooting of the Rockets combined with the amazing game of Aaron Brooks kept the Lakers on their heels defensively and they were never able to recover. Initially I felt the Lakers would come out strong to start the fourth, but the bench once again let them down and gave up easy baskets and never really got anything going offensively. Overall, this was a horrible loss for the Lakers, even if it’s early in the season. The first back-to-back loss of the year… hopefully not something we as fans have to get use to.

Popularity: 1%

Lakers Nation to Your Email Address: