The Los Angeles Lakers are on a funk offensively, and that has dropped them to 2-2 in the bubble. They’ll have to adjust fast against the Houston Rockets’ scoring barrage when they meet at 9 AM Manila time on August 7.
The season series is tied at one apiece.
HOME TEAM: Houston Rockets (42-25, 23-10 at home)
The Rockets suffered their first loss at the bubble this past Wednesday, 110-102, as the Portland Trail Blazers edged them out thanks to a timely basket by former Rocket Carmelo Anthony.
They are now 2-1 since the restart. It was an ugly game that saw Houston shoot just 39.1% and only grab five offensive rebounds – their second-fewest this season.
Houston won the most recent meeting with the Lakers (Feb. 6), 121-111. James Harden was a horrid 3-for-10 for 14 points, but Russell Westbrook stepped up big time. Brodie breezed past the defense for 41 points on 17-for-28 shooting to go along eight rebounds and five assists.
Four more Rockets scored in double figures, and they combined to go 19-for-42 (45.2%) from downtown.
We should continue seeing the same aggressiveness on offense tomorrow, especially Harden, who will look to bounce back from his quiet performance the last time out.
ROAD TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (51-16, 27-7 on the road)
The Lakers have been alternating wins and losses in the bubble. They are now 2-2, and will be on the second night of a back-to-back while fresh-off a 105-86 beating in the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Anthony Davis was quiet for the second time in three games, as he could only muster nine points on a passive 3-for-11 shooting. LeBron James didn’t make up for Davis’s disappearing act too – he had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, but was just 7-for-19 from the floor.
That said, the team has a far more concerning problem than AD’s inconsistency and LeBron’s underwhelming offense: defending high-caliber guards.
The opposing point guard or two-guard has now performed well in three-straight games – Kyle Lowry had 33 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, which almost outproduced LeBron and AD combined, Donovan Mitchell had 33 points, and Chris Paul had 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting and a +25 plus-minus – his second-highest this season.
So, we probably have to watch out how monstrous Harden or Westbrook would be… or maybe they’ll both annihilate the Lakers.
All I know is we’re in for a treat if they can have the same type of game that they had in February this year.
PREDICTIONS:
AD and LeBron will perform better, but the Lakers will ultimately fall to the Rockets’ relentless attack. I expect Harden and/or Russ to go off. Houston should take this, 116-108.
