Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Houston Rockets	19	29	29	21	98
Los Angeles Lakers	16	32	34	22	104

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Houston Rockets	98	37-89	41.6%	10-32	31.3%	14-17	82.4%	10	61	26	20	7	15	5
Los Angeles Lakers	104	35-89	39.3%	16-46	34.8%	18-20	90.0%	10	50	22	15	11	11	6


Houston Rockets	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Dillon Brooks^SF	35:58	16	5-14	3-9	3-4	1	4	5	1	1	1	1	2	-8
Amen Thompson^PF	33:57	20	8-14	1-3	3-4	2	3	5	4	2	2	2	3	-2
Alperen Sengun^C	34:39	14	5-11	0-0	4-4	2	5	7	6	0	1	2	4	-2
Jalen Green^SG	30:52	9	4-13	1-4	0-0	0	9	9	5	1	1	2	1	-11
Fred VanVleet^PG	39:33	7	2-14	1-7	2-3	0	4	4	9	0	0	1	3	-3
Jabari Smith Jr.	27:19	15	6-10	3-6	0-0	2	9	11	1	1	0	2	3	2
Steven Adams	15:43	4	1-2	0-1	2-2	2	5	7	0	1	0	3	0	-3
Tari Eason	21:57	13	6-11	1-2	0-0	1	2	3	0	1	0	2	4	-3
Jeff Green	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aaron Holiday	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jock Landale	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Reed Sheppard	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jae’Sean Tate	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cam Whitmore	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N’Faly Dante	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jack McVeigh	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
David Roddy	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nate Williams	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Los Angeles Lakers	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Rui Hachimura^SF	30:47	7	3-10	1-6	0-0	0	2	2	0	2	0	0	1	0
LeBron James^PF	37:40	16	5-12	2-4	4-4	0	8	8	4	2	2	3	1	9
Jaxson Hayes^C	14:08	3	1-2	0-0	1-1	1	2	3	1	0	0	2	2	-9
Austin Reaves^SG	38:57	12	5-11	0-3	2-2	1	7	8	3	2	0	1	1	8
Luka Dončić^PG	38:02	20	6-16	1-7	7-9	0	6	6	9	2	0	3	5	7
Dorian Finney-Smith	31:42	20	6-13	6-11	2-2	1	5	6	3	2	3	1	2	16
Gabe Vincent	23:34	20	6-14	6-13	2-2	2	2	4	1	1	1	0	1	8
Jordan Goodwin	11:40	4	2-5	0-2	0-0	1	1	2	1	0	0	1	1	-4
Jarred Vanderbilt	09:33	2	1-6	0-0	0-0	4	2	6	0	0	0	0	1	-4
Dalton Knecht	03:56	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1
Bronny James	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Trey Jemison III	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alex Len	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shake Milton	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Markieff Morris	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maxi Kleber	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Christian Koloko	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

benlucasdavee | Knicks

1195 | 3 days ago

block on sengun at the end was CRAZY. Felt that shit through my screen.

LeGoat333 | Mavericks

489 | 3 days ago

I’m going to miss Bron

Imkitoto | Lakers

340 | 3 days ago

Good thing he has 10 more years

hotterpocketzz | Lakers

78 | 3 days ago

Hes gonna have a 4th child and wait ¹⁸⁄₁₉ more years to play with this child at 59 years old

DoritoSteroid | Lakers

11 | 3 days ago

10 years before he starts playing with the idea of retirement.

benlucasdavee | Knicks

157 | 3 days ago

Gonna miss him so much bro i’ve thought about it every game of his that i’ve watched for years. So blessed he has given us this much time.

bbaIla | Lakers

72 | 3 days ago

He’s playing like 3 more years lmao

LeGoat333 | Mavericks

41 | 3 days ago

I hope so

Leavingtheecstasy | Thunder

9 | 3 days ago

Literally next year is his last year lmao.

He’s made it clear enough.

psychotichorse | LAL

15 | 3 days ago

He literally said earlier this season that he feels he can play at this level for another 3 to 4 years it just depended on the mental, and then we got the Don for him. He is gonna play at least to his 25th year in the league.

randomweezy1

34 | 3 days ago

He’s barely entering his prime.

LeGoat333 | Mavericks

18 | 3 days ago

I’m here for Lefifthprime

Vermillion_Crab | LAL

22 | 3 days ago

Why are you going to miss a man who’ll retire 10 years from now?

loyola-atherton | Lakers

4 | 3 days ago

Wym he gonna be playing until his grandson joins the NBA and he is still going to be averaging 20+ points and 5+ assists

alozz | LAL

82 | 3 days ago

Love Alperen but hasn’t been a good night for him lol.

Doncic breaks his ankles, Hayes posters him and Bron tries to pop the ball on his final attempt.

Glock13Purdy | Lakers

42 | 3 days ago

just an overall disappointing year. got a very mickey all-star nod because of the rockets record but honestly hasn’t taken that high-end star level leap he probably should have. he very often just looks like a guy on the court instead of the best player on the rockets.

xuedad

15 | 3 days ago

Best player on Houston totally Thompson

Glock13Purdy | Lakers

20 | 3 days ago

nah he needs some more offensive consistency to really get there. maybe next year though.

purplenyellowrose909 | Timberwolves

39 | 3 days ago

The ball had an audible snap

SlyMrF0x | Warriors

13 | 3 days ago

Not having to run the offense is gonna add 5 years to his career

lannistargaryen | Lakers

1103 | 3 days ago

DFS is a godsend for this team

lord_gaben3000 | Lakers

413 | 3 days ago

Love my boy depth first search

Financial_Salt303

67 | 3 days ago

We’re BFs

CountOff | Pistons

15 | 2 days ago

Best Finney-Smiths?

swizznastic

29 | 3 days ago

just wait till his brother, breadth, makes the league

RainierPC | Cavaliers

15 | 3 days ago

Unless, of course, you want the shortest path

WayAdministrative679 | Minneapolis Lakers

201 | 3 days ago

DFS to the Rockets is what PJ is to the Thunder

WrexyBalls | Lakers

10 | 3 days ago

I think you meant to the Mavs

WayAdministrative679 | Minneapolis Lakers

73 | 3 days ago

Nah, PJ literally always decides to go nuclear versus the thunder, check out his stats last year in the playoffs against them 😂😂 dude was arguably tbe player for the mavs for like 4 games

WrexyBalls | Lakers

35 | 3 days ago

Hold on maybe I misread that

Practical-Ebb-6804 | Clippers

11 | 3 days ago

i thought about PJ Tucker lol

fastlikeanascar | Gran Destino

146 | 3 days ago

our turnaround started when we acquired him. The team was rolling with AD too, even though they only overlapped by a month.

captain_ahabb | Lakers

79 | 3 days ago

Obviously the trade was the right long term move and obviously AD isn’t healthy but man this team would look incredible with DFS/Gabe playing like this and AD still on the back like

EverybodyBuddy | Lakers

36 | 3 days ago

It was always a question mark whether AD + Max would be better for this season alone. Still a question even though the Don is obviously the smart move long term.

ositola | Lakers

85 | 3 days ago

On a game to game basis, either DFS or Rui has to be the guy on offense

biguk997 | Lakers

69 | 3 days ago

Any 3 of Luka, Lebron, AR, DFS, Gabe, or Rui get hot on offense and we’re cookin.

Putrid-Sherbert5501 | Mavericks

50 | 3 days ago

Gabe been fucking cooking.

Smooth-Jaguar | Lakers

9 | 2 days ago

Not to mention Jaxson Hayes getting easy baskets off lobs/ putbacks/ fake handoffs

hansislegend | Lakers

16 | 3 days ago

Manna from heaven.

Beard341 | Lakers

9 | 2 days ago

Pelinka did us so good this season.

Cark_Muban | Slovenia

6 | 3 days ago

Dallas Legend

yuhanz | PHO

833 | 3 days ago

Rockets are going to be ANNOYING AF in the playoffs

lovo17 | Lakers

557 | 3 days ago

So much length, athleticism, and toughness.

They don’t really have consistent go-to scoring though and that will be their downfall.

SmokeOddessey | Lakers

206 | 3 days ago

Reggie Miller was so mad they didn’t make Jalen “the guy” for the final minutes lol

mr_antman85 | CLE

86 | 3 days ago

I was wondering why he was out. Isn’t he the only one who can legitimately get his own shot?

No-Test6484

65 | 3 days ago

I saw his game and was impressed till I realized this dude will not pass and will do all sorts of shit to try and score. If he’s hot he will look amazing and if he’s not hot he’s a net negative

Glock13Purdy | Lakers

60 | 3 days ago

i mean, it was kinda the opposite tonight. he was passing out of a lot of situations where he should’ve normally just cooked.

Kamesti

36 | 2 days ago

It’s wild that he started the comment with “I saw” and then proceeded to describe the opposite of what happened.

Fmeson | HOU

8 | 2 days ago

Once you realize people just say shit on reddit as if they know what they are talking about, half the discourse on /r/nba makes more sense.

Kentang_BayBay | Lakers

3 | 3 days ago

True. That pass to Steven Adams was a great fundamental play

Jade_Jade_27 | NBA

35 | 3 days ago

I hate comments like these that assumes a player’s game solely due to their initial archetype. Jalen has been their primary playmaker since fvv went down last month and he’s been nice at that.

Outside_Narwhal_5127 | Rockets

28 | 3 days ago

You didnt watch the game then. Or any rockets game this season

PAYPAL_ME_DONATIONS | Rockets

9 | 3 days ago

You clearly watch zero rockets games. Jalen has made a huge leap in every category outside of scoring this year, including his playmaking/passes.

That’s the biggest difference from previous years, is him not being a net negative if the shot isn’t falling.

trapdave1017 | Lakers

30 | 3 days ago

He played terrible all game so i guess they just decided to bench him

F47NGAD

72 | 3 days ago

Lmao his teammates probably didn’t trust him enough after all those bricks the whole game.

KarrotMovies | LAL

69 | 3 days ago

I would still rather him try to close it out over Fred Vanvleet tonight who was also laying bricks

Udoka had Jabari Sengun and Adams out there for multiple stretches in the fourth

blancs50

16 | 3 days ago

They needed Brooks’s defense & if FVV isn’t in, the Rockets seem to forget to pass the ball to Sengun.

FireLordVictorious | Rockets

23 | 3 days ago

Jalen is our closer. He might not be at a star level yet in that regard, but he’s been a hell of a lot more reliable than VanVleet this season. And the rockets have won more games in the clutch than anyone this season (literally). Yet Ime chose to roll with Fred over Jalen down the stretch

jstude2019

67 | 3 days ago

One saving grace is that our offense has always been pretty shitty so once the offense slows down across the board in the playoffs, we’ll be used to it.

Some-Stranger-7852

28 | 3 days ago

Slowing down in playoffs means even less fastbreak points, which Rockets love to score. Slower game doesn’t help Houston, it makes it even harder to score (same for Memphis btw).

ginbooth | Lakers

49 | 3 days ago

He’s annoying AF, but Brooks played some stellar D tonight.

Ok-Repair2893 | Wizards

13 | 3 days ago

I have a real love hate relationship with him. watching him menace teams I hate tho is great

DejanD27 | Slovenia

7 | 2 days ago

Brooks is an asshole, but I would want him on my team

PlasticPresentation1

27 | 3 days ago

seriously, last 5 minutes of the 4th was painful to watch, there was not a single rockets player who looked confident on offense

Suitable_Snow7761 | Rockets

8 | 3 days ago

I agree with this … way too inconsistent offensively and when both Jalen and Fred struggle it’s almost a guaranteed loss!

304rising

9 | 3 days ago

I think he meant guys like Dillon brooks and Sengun while being coached by Ime

Brock-Lesnar

73 | 3 days ago

My takeaway is I don’t think teams know what to do with this Lakers offense - are you going to let LeBron/Luka/Reaves cook 1-on-1, or give up wide open 3s to 40% 3 point shooter DFS/wide open corner 3s to Gabe Vincent

Tall_Succotash | Lakers

46 | 3 days ago

That’s all you can do really. Only team I’ve seen nails us down is Boston but we didn’t have our entire rotation healthy in that game.

fartlapse | Lakers

11 | 3 days ago

rui needs to get back to pre injury form before playoffs, as well.

White-Gravity | Raptors

69 | 3 days ago

A rockets vs Timberwolves/clippers series would be absolute cinema

purplenyellowrose909 | Timberwolves

53 | 3 days ago

Our scuffle vs Detroit would look like a handshake if we play this Rockets team.

Houston and Minnesota like lead the league in technical fouls and ejections.

yuhanz | PHO

27 | 3 days ago

They showed a graphic on techs, ejections, coach techs; the rockets was like 1st 2nd 3rd on all three lmao

purplenyellowrose909 | Timberwolves

13 | 3 days ago

Our game vs Houston in February was super chippy and had like tech fouls, flopping fouls, off ball fouls on in bounds, Ant openly taunting Brooks after making 3s.

The Rockets tried to leave the court while the Wolves were dribbling out the clock so Jaden dunked it with a half second left to make them come out of the tunnel and inbound the ball

DoritoSteroid | Lakers

6 | 3 days ago

I really hope you guys play in the first round.

NbaAllDAYger | Mavericks

44 | 3 days ago

Not really i feel like any of the veteran Teams like the Lakers,Gsw, Clippers can take advantage of them.
Depending on the matchup they might lose in the 1round.

Fred is a huge liability if he is not scoring,Jalen although he has size hasnt learned to play defense for whatever reason and tends to go head first into defenders once his jumpers arent falling.

I like the Rockets , Kd might be piece that could take them to another level.

JumboHotdogz | Thunder

29 | 3 days ago

Im dying laughing when I read the rockets sub post game thread saying they tired of fred van cheeks

Apocalyptic93 | Rockets

10 | 3 days ago

FVV is a cone on defense for sure.

I’m not sure how you came away with this game saying that Jalen hasn’t learned to play defense. He locked up and blocked multiple players tonight. He has been lock down for most of the season.

Champagnesoda | LAL

12 | 3 days ago

They can be annoying but still not beat anyone in the playoffs lol.

They’re 90% outta here in the first round tho unless they get the grizzlies in which case I’d only favor them slightly. Teams without top tier scoring threats do not advance in regular playoff matchups let alone truly ridiculous years like what the west is rn

Salty_Watermelon | Clippers

27 | 3 days ago

Doubt it. Right now Rockets fans are praying that Memphis ends up as the 7th seed.

badmonbuddha | Lakers

27 | 3 days ago

They have the offensive miscues typical of a young team but on the flip side their athleticism made the lakers look lazy on the fast break. Great turnaround for the franchise but in classic western conference fashion the 2-7 matchup won’t be an easy out.

SNPpoloG | Nets

12 | 3 days ago

theyre the 2 seed and all you can say is theyll be annoying lmfao

theyre gonna get outed pretty quickly by whichever team they play

yuhanz | PHO

10 | 3 days ago

They already muck up regular season games. In the playoffs, they’ll get away with even more physical games.

Their late game offense is rightfully questioned but ive also seen them just out-effort some teams in the clutch too. Most of it is because Sengun didnt improve much this year.

Best-Relief-6776 | Lakers

15 | 3 days ago

If you turn it over a lot and aren’t making shots, they are gonna cardio the F out of you into a win. Just as a basketball fan though, there were some head scratching things that Udoka did lineup wise in the last few mins I didn’t get.

lawschoolthrowaway36 | Lakers

14 | 3 days ago

If people still can’t see why upgrading from Green to Booker is Houston’s key to actual contention, I don’t know what else can be shown.

Green didn’t even play for most of crunch time. No late game offense to speak of. It’s just not getting it done in the postseason consistently enough to contend for a championship.

treyfiddy | Minneapolis Lakers

9 | 3 days ago

they have a bunch of really fucking annoying DAWGS

Imaginary-Ebb-1724

460 | 3 days ago

This is the type of game you do actually need Kevin Durant

FVV and Dillon Brooks as the go to perimeter scorer in the clutch is not gonna cut it

ositola | Lakers

104 | 3 days ago

What’s the trade

Boomhauer_007 | Raptors

121 | 3 days ago

FVV, the suns 27 FRP, and whatever else makes the salaries work

Suns should be banging down the door to get some of their picks back

weeyummy1 | LAL

52 | 3 days ago

It’s a big deal for a win win trade. Those picks are worth so much more to the suns than the rockets.

Suns will tank and get a top 5 lotto pick, if they own their picks.

Otoh, they won’t tank without the picks and it’ll end up in the late 10-15 range.

Fmeson | HOU

7 | 2 days ago

10-15 picks are really valuable to teams that are about to have to pay a bunch of guys. It’s how you build a cost effective roster and deep bench.

KungFuChicken1990 | Lakers

103 | 3 days ago

FVV and Brooks for KD, obviously /s

Edit: added the /s, in case my sarcasm wasn’t obvious enough lol

Glock13Purdy | Lakers

41 | 3 days ago

lol i’m doing this in a heartbeat if i’m the rockets. sign a cheap PG in free agency too and you’re cooking.

jacobpltn | Lakers

6 | 2 days ago

Our Boy DLo is a free agent this offseason 👀

Nah Udoka would probably hate him, in reality Schroeder is probably a good move. His value is low af rn

Rymasq

8 | 2 days ago

yeah sure, just like how the Suns signed a cheap Tyus “7:1 assist to TOV” Jones in FA

ositola | Lakers

18 | 3 days ago

Phx turns that down , they’re looking for young players, picks or someone to take beal

vhyli | Lakers

21 | 3 days ago

They have an ascending Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. Jalen Green is not a first option player. 2nd seed as a rebuilding team, they might as well trade the Suns picks back to them for KD and play for a championship.

retroauro

7 | 3 days ago

Beal vetoes every deal so that he can chill at pheonix

MatchAffectionate951

32 | 3 days ago

I think if you could somehow add the efficiency of Fred and Jalen green together. Kd would still be more efficient.

No brainer move to me.

shehryar46 | BKN

11 | 2 days ago

I feel like every game is the type of game you need Kevin Durant lol

smaIl_talk | Lakers

413 | 3 days ago

big 3 winning the game with more than just scoring. huge defensive plays by AR and Bron and luka with some clutch set ups. bailed out by Gabe and DFS tonight. extremely good news heading into the playoffs

InverseMySuggestions | Celtics

50 | 2 days ago

Been saying yall are my sleeper finals pick.

DisIsCanada | Lakers

46 | 2 days ago

but… we’re supposed to hate eachother

Other_Cheek_1966 | NBA

64 | 2 days ago

They’re hoping you make it through so they can see the Celtics beat yall thats real hatred right there

gbbenner

338 | 3 days ago

LeBron had his best block this year, absolutely epic.

awkotacos | Lakers

79 | 3 days ago

That was such a good block

BatmanNoPrep | Lakers

18 | 3 days ago

Blocked by James!

joe4553

286 | 3 days ago

The big 3 of Vincent, Finney-Smith and Luka

Nythron | Rockets

128 | 2 days ago

Big 3 of Dorian, Finney and Smith

ender23 | NBA

55 | 2 days ago

the law firm

SockVonPuppet

246 | 3 days ago

Jabari Smith has a 7’7 wingspan.

GMaxGigaNerd | Lakers

90 | 3 days ago

WTF

Isn’t that more than AD?

SandyMandy17 | Thunder

95 | 3 days ago

It’s actually 7’1 he’s exaggerating

rjcarr | Supersonics

19 | 3 days ago

I think Reggie said that during the game.

adamant_onion | Lakers

20 | 3 days ago

Heard it as well, said Jabari Smith is “6’9-6’10 with a 7’7 wingspan”

SmokeOddessey | Lakers

34 | 3 days ago

yeah he’s like 7’6

PabloTroutSanchez | Knicks

36 | 3 days ago

Was that actually right? A couple of results said 7’1”, including the NBA scouting report.

Granted, that was a cursory google and it’s from 2022, but I saw at least 2 other sources list 7’1”. Was that just a poor estimate? I’m guessing the commentators/production team aren’t throwing shit out there.

It just seems wild

MrChexmix | Rockets

30 | 3 days ago

It’s absolutely not right lol. He got his height wrong too (said 6 foot 8 or 9, when Jabari is 6ft11ish).

Imkitoto | Lakers

27 | 3 days ago

Boi is long as fuck for no damn reason

bigtice | Rockets

225 | 3 days ago

“I had to make up for the 4^th quarter the other night.” - LeBron

AryaMadd

199 | 3 days ago

In the end, Mind The Game.

heshouldgo | Lakers

183 | 3 days ago

GET ME TO THE PLAYOFFS ALREADY

Ranjith_Unchained

36 | 3 days ago

Lakers vs Warriors would be cinema

yuhanz | PHO

44 | 3 days ago

Yeah if memphis continues to slide that might be the ⁴⁄₅ matchup.

On the other conference, it’s Indiana Detroit. Both are gonna be fun

ProfessorMarth | Lakers

36 | 3 days ago

If every west team wins the games they’re supposed to…playoff picture looks like

Thunder
Rockets
L*kers
Nuggets
Warriors
Grizzlies

Which means L*kers could be looking at Grizzlies->Rockets->Thunder for the playoffs which is not a bad roll.

If every team wins the games they’re supposed to.

HumbleBrothers | Lakers

16 | 3 days ago

Oh man that would be ideal

fastlikeanascar | Gran Destino

138 | 3 days ago

Amen Thomson is so good. Absolute nightmare to see him hound one of your guys.

CapriciousManchild | Lakers

17 | 3 days ago

Yeah I didn’t understand that but I guess since it went out of bounds they could challenged it because of that ?

megudreadnaught | Rockets

125 | 3 days ago

That tari tech was so bs

bdonballer | Lakers

51 | 3 days ago

Yelling at his own bench. Egregious /s Sissy ass call by the ref. Let em play ffs!

sixeyedbird | Lakers

52 | 3 days ago

Ref got in his feels that was a soft tech

Edit: if he were telling at a player or ref it would still be soft but you see the logic. T’d up for yelling at your own bench is insane

shortyman920 | Lakers

17 | 3 days ago

He must’ve said something raw, cuz there’s no way that should’ve been a tech just based on the actions. Stu and rest of the commentators were pretty disappointed in the call

Kentang_BayBay | Lakers

7 | 3 days ago

100 percent agree

Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n | Rockets

114 | 3 days ago

The team put up a good fight on the road. Fred and Jalen made other contributions, but couldn’t make shots. That and giving up too many open 3s seemed like the difference maker on our end.

Credit to JJ’s coaching to force the ball out of Sengun’s hands as much as possible. They kept fronting him and picking off the entry passes from everyone else when he played fine for the most part. Forced the others to step up, and at least some of the guys like Amen and Bari were able to make it work.

JG got benched, which I get, but Fred was also struggling and getting hunted on switches. And Jalen at least has an offensive dynamism that FVV doesn’t regardless of the shooting. Could have been worth giving a look at the end. Yet Fred stayed in. It’s tough when he isn’t making shots but is getting run down like he’s on a Thibs team. But Ime sticks with his vets. Also have to live with the Dillon takeover possessions on offense sometimes.

Double big with Adams has been a crutch for us for awhile, but it worked against us on defense with giving up too many 3s. Lebron, Luka, and AR can all pass well, and credit to DFS and Gabe for making shots. But it’s annoying seeing all the open corner and wing threes, and some defensive miscommunications on top. Need the team to keep working on that match-zone Ime has. Ime also has to move off that scheme quicker. Especially when Bari was doing well, Ime should have leaned on him more.

Not the best start to our tough closing schedule, but this team needs to be tested before entering the playoffs. Hopefully can learn from this as we see how good the team really is and what the future direction might look like.

i-race-goats | Rockets

44 | 3 days ago

Vanvleet getting 40 minutes is ridiculous. Couldn’t hit the side of the barn or play D

twerdy | Rockets

42 | 3 days ago

I’m ok with losing a tight game away in a back-to-back against the Lakers. I wish they’d gone away from the 2-3 zone when it clearly wasn’t working. I know they’ve been giving it reps in preparation for the playoffs, but it should be obvious that you can’t zone against two big, elite playmakers like Lebron and Luka. I guess playing hard man-to-man would be an unnecessary injury risk this close to the playoffs as well though.

WalrusInMySheets | LAL

19 | 3 days ago

There were like 5 consecutive possessions in the early 4th with LeBron on the bench where Brooks and Amen sealed off Luka and Reaves and basically forced Goodwin, DFS, and Rui to play 3v3 and I started to panic a bit.

WalrusInMySheets | LAL

14 | 3 days ago

It seems like we just use a variation of the Jokic defense on Sengun. Honestly think we should’ve been called for more fouls because we were super physical on him with ball denial and he’s nowhere near as thick as Jokic

fantasythrowaway1000

14 | 3 days ago

if it was just how they guard Jokic, they wouldn’t have conceded so many switches that let Reaves be on Sengun

KarrotMovies | LAL

6 | 3 days ago

Nah, they didn’t use the Jokic strat. Jokic strat is basically 2 good wings fronting him. Sengun had Reaves on him for a lot of possessions, even at the end where Bron blocked it from weakside

_MergatroidSkittle | Rockets

8 | 3 days ago

i sure as shit don’t get JG getting benched lol

DFWHomer | Mavericks

86 | 3 days ago

Luka breaking ankles and DFS raining 3’s…. I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ol’ days before they’re over

ivandragostwin | Bulls

71 | 3 days ago

Prolly the worst I’ve seen LeBron and Luka play together, but a lot of that was the Rockets being insanely physical with them. They are a tough matchup for these guys, so many athletes to throw at them and you can’t play bully ball.

Credit to the Lakers role players for coming up clutch, if they hit like that in the playoffs they’re going to be really tough to beat with a playoff Luka and LeBron.

Rockets, man I think people are sleeping on them a bit, but that halfcourt offense is tough to watch. They’ll really need to dominate the glass and create fast break opps.

quann256 | Pacers

57 | 3 days ago

despite the loss the Rockets are so fun to watch with all of their young stars and Amen will be a superstar in the playoffs, I could see the Rockets going to the WCF’s, the entire NBA world is sleeping on them.

DentistFun2776 | Nuggets

65 | 3 days ago

They’re very entertaining - and genuinely good - but this game (poor 3Pt shooting, confusing clutch offense) seems to me to be a pretty good foreshadowing of a likely playoff exit

quann256 | Pacers

19 | 3 days ago

they were on the back end of a B2B, i wouldn’t take this game vs all their other elite wins that they have and discredit them.

youngbrightfuture | Nuggets

62 | 3 days ago

Young teams with questionable offense late game aren’t scaring anyone. Like what they’re building but they can be clamped in half court

Sijols | Knicks

20 | 3 days ago

Nobody wants to play point guard or create offense on their team and it’s obvious

They need a guy like DeAaron Fox, maybe they should have tried harder to trade for him. Or they could get Trae Young maybe?

Trae young feeding Amen Thompson would be crazy

youngbrightfuture | Nuggets

13 | 3 days ago

They probably just need to put ball in Thompsons hands but he’s not fully ready for that step yet.

Trae young would put a cap on their ceiling. He’s not scaring anyone out west.

Sengun jalen or amen can all still develop their games

BidDaddyLei

6 | 3 days ago

Trae would be a huge upgrade for VanFleet but ATL won’t let him go unless they full rebuild again.

IAmKevinDurantAMA | Warriors

13 | 3 days ago

Imma be honest and I hate to say this, but I enjoy watching Dillon brooks, he had some great defense this game.

Also jabari Smith jr is very, very important for the rockets imo.

OhSoJelly | Lakers

7 | 3 days ago

History says otherwise. Lakers or Denver take out the Rockets in the 2nd round if everyone is healthy.

Sijols | Knicks

5 | 3 days ago

I dont think amen has the on-ball skill to be a superstar yet

Phenomenal player though at everything except on-ball offensive creation

40866892 | Lakers

50 | 3 days ago

Rockets strategy the entire game was to deny Luka Bron AR their points and make the Lakers hit threes. DFS + Gabe had the green light tonight. SHEESH

KryptoNike14 | San Diego Rockets

35 | 3 days ago

Lost bc DFS and Vincent were unconscious from 3. Oh well.

Seake03

107 | 3 days ago

Its not like they were hitting tough shots they were just wide open

grxccccandice | Lakers

16 | 3 days ago

Exactly. Would you rather take a chance at role players missing their 3s or the real big 3 (wtf r/nba just wouldn’t let me post their names) missing theirs? I know which one I’d choose.

lakerconvert

83 | 3 days ago

Probably because you guys left them wide open the entire game 😂

Phuddy | Lakers

20 | 3 days ago

As DFS himself would say, “butt naked”

Remarkable-Gap-9024 | Lakers

42 | 3 days ago

And because the Rockets lack of a consistent scorer.

KryptoNike14 | San Diego Rockets

27 | 3 days ago

We’re paying 40MM to Fred Vanleet. It only goes up from here.

HaikN98 | Lakers

6 | 3 days ago

If you guys get Booker you should be really solid. Also don’t think Jalen Green should be a part of their future. He’s awful and low IQ.

Teambooler24

7 | 3 days ago

I get hated on in the rockets sub, but I predicted in the offseason, we will get booker in the offseason unless green goes absolutely nuts in the playoffs

Booker is having a “down” year but imo it’s because of the suns awful roster construction and them using him wrong, him and sengun would be our jokic Murray type duo with the 2 man game and handoffs, not to mention amen becoming a superstar

A starting lineup of amen/booker/brooks/smith/sengun Or Fred/booker/brooks/amen/sengun if we sign him to a team friendly deal ( I hope not ) plus our bench depth would be crazy imo

sixeyedbird | Lakers

8 | 3 days ago

So many Rockets fans are sooo high on Jalen Green. They’ll look at you crazy if you suggest he’s anything less than a lock for future all star

alozz | LAL

35 | 3 days ago

TBF 12 from Austin, 16 from Bron and 20 from Luka are all ridiculously low numbers.

Rockets overplayed them which was smart, but that opens the gate for bench players to make wide open shots. And DFG & Gabe were automatic

sbenfsonwFFiF

5 | 3 days ago

They were left wide open taking practice shots

Udoka’s strategy was to trap and double the stars (worst trio game by far) but you can’t have everything.

DentistFun2776 | Nuggets

34 | 3 days ago

Well, this game looks like an eerily predictable foreshadowing of how Houston is likely to lose in the coming playoffs

i-race-goats | Rockets

29 | 3 days ago

Just happy to be there really

Disclaimz0r

5 | 3 days ago

Only gonna get better from here, team is so young

SnooPeripherals4884 | Heat

34 | 3 days ago

Some post the LeBlock at the end

KingC11_ | Lakers

29 | 3 days ago

On that FVV 3 you can challenge a no call?? TF

ProfessorMarth | Lakers

10 | 3 days ago

They challenged a different call in order to get the refs to look at it

motorboat_mcgee | Lakers

26 | 3 days ago

I bet the team is so happy to not be playing until Thursday

Dwestyoung | Lakers

22 | 3 days ago

GG rockets fans, would love a playoff series of these two teams, so fun to watch

Radiant_Pickle | Lakers

20 | 3 days ago

LeSpiked to finish the comeback.

Flovust | Lakers

19 | 3 days ago

Im glad DFS wasnt scared to shoot

primarymuscle2354

22 | 3 days ago

He’s wide open every time bc the defense is so focused on Lebron, Austin, and Luka he really shouldn’t be scared to shoot when their giving him so much space.

Flovust | Lakers

8 | 3 days ago

That’s my point, even in the last few games he’d pump fake and drive and kick

[deleted]

14 | 3 days ago

[deleted]

Sebas5627 | Lakers

13 | 3 days ago

When the rockets beta the shit outta whoever is the scary 7 seed so many people are gonna look dumb as shit

seddard | Lakers

17 | 3 days ago

They are 2nd seed in West with a bottom-5 3 point shooting in the league. Some think they are not ready, I personally think they are scary af.

Sebas5627 | Lakers

9 | 3 days ago

People are having the three point shooting define them when in reality people should be very fucking concerned about the 50 win team that can’t shoot. Like do you realize how hard it is to win games with very poor spacing

seddard | Lakers

12 | 3 days ago

Like do you realize how hard it is to win games with very poor spacing

That’s why Sengun is the 3rd most doubled big in the league right now.

Vaughndo-30 | Lakers

12 | 3 days ago

Nice defensive grinder of a match. I’ll still don’t understand some of the passiveness from Jalen Green. I get that it wasn’t his night, but he straight up did not look to attack the paint down the stretch like Amen at least.

jstude2019

10 | 3 days ago

Fun game. I’m salty and will blame refs for the next hour but will wake up tomorrow happy about the teams effort. Ime stuck with the game plan in a relatively meaningless regular season game and bet on their shooters’ not being able to hit open shots, and they didn’t at first, but ultimately did. Overhelping on Luka and LeBron was effective but their role players stepped up. Salute 🫡

Jasphair | Bulls

8 | 3 days ago

Vanvleet getting some cardio and chucking up shots

primarymuscle2354

11 | 3 days ago

Lakers defense seems to be back from before the Lebron injury, obviously their offense wasn’t great tonight from their big 3, but when Gabe, and DfS get consistent wide open shots it made up for that. The rockets are an elite defensive team, but with the lack of a go to number 1 guy, terrible half court offense, I’m sure a team like the Warriors, or the Timberwolves would want to play them 1st round.

Tall_Succotash | Lakers

10 | 3 days ago

Lakers are just good team merchants and everybody has to remember that come playoff time.

BlackJediSword | Lakers

9 | 3 days ago

I like this rockets team a lot. They will grind a few playoff games to a complete halt

ArjunBanerji27 | Nuggets

9 | 3 days ago

Jalen Green benched in the final 4 minutes of this game when the Rockets were down 5. Going ⁴⁄₁₃ and a team low -11 as well.

Him being the “scorer” and the supposed best player/franchise player of the Rockets is one of the reasons I find taking the Rockets seriously for this playoffs hard.

They have everything else. The role players are great, the defense is there. Jalen Green and to a lesser extent, Sengun aren’t there.

Padulsky21 | BKN

5 | 3 days ago

Just one single consistent scoring threat on this team playing 65+ games a season and they’re fucking instantly dominant. Just can’t take them seriously with that backcourt. But it speaks to the volumes of talent they have they’re this good with an extremely inefficient offense. Guys on rookie contracts with rookies lying in wait, easy contracts to match salary with…

Got a feeling they’re just gonna run it back anyways dedicating more time to that backcourt

shamblitz | Spurs

7 | 3 days ago

playoffs atmosphere

HotTubMike

4 | 3 days ago

No team getting hosed with a B2B in the playoffs at least

UnderhandSteam | Minneapolis Lakers

7 | 3 days ago

Holy shit, I do not want to see the Rockets in the play-offs lol. Honestly, it felt like both teams kinda shit the bed in terms of offense, had to rely on literally everyone else other than the superstars to make the shots that mattered, but it really did feel like it could’ve gone either way. This was a gritty ass basketball game

Ranjith_Unchained

5 | 3 days ago

LeForty playing defense like it’s LeThirty…this team’s offense looking more well rounded than it’s ever been

AstonishingSpiderMan | Lakers

5 | 3 days ago

Lakers and Dodgers won today. It was a good day.

DEEZLE13

5 | 3 days ago

LeBron is inevitable

vmpafq

7 | 3 days ago

How did the Rockets challenge the Vanvleet foul and get 3 free throws? I thought you couldn’t challenge non-calls?

inightyDAB | Luka Dončić

5 | 3 days ago

Houston’s going to be a tiring matchup for anyone but ultimately their lack of star scoring power is going to bite them. Had Dillon Brooks taking fourth quarter isos because their player of the week built a whole castle with his bricks and their starting PG went 2-14. In a seven game series if that shit happens more than once or twice it’s wraps.

FershureB | Minneapolis Lakers

4 | 3 days ago

JJ figured how to attack the zone!

heshouldgo | Lakers

5 | 3 days ago

40 year old man with the clutch FT’s and game saving block 🐐🐐

The Los Angeles Lakers (46-29) defeat the Houston Rockets (49-27), 104-98.