The Dream Shake - Rockets Wreck Lakers 125 to 112The best footwork on the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/34031/32x32.png2013-01-08T21:29:06-06:00http://www.thedreamshake.com/rss/stream/36169712013-01-08T21:29:06-06:002013-01-08T21:29:06-06:00Lake Show is Canceled
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<figcaption>Ladies | Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Rockets top the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center for their fifth straight win. </p> <p> </p>
<p>The Houston Rockets came out tonight looking downright lethargic. To let you know how bad the game started, the Rockets recorded 0 rebounds through the first 7 minutes of the game. Happily enough though, Jeremy Lin recorded a steal early and made it 14 games in a row with a steal. The Lakers took advantage of the second chance opportunities that the Rockets were more than willing to give up. The ball movement was sloppy and the play was less than inspired by intelligence. The Lakers came out playing like a team that knew they were undermanned on the interior. They attacked the Rockets defense and made them run. Houston began to push the tempo a little over halfway through the first quarter but the defensive woes continued. The first attempt at adjusting to the Lakers lineup began with the insertion of Greg Smith and Patrick Patterson into the lineup hoping Patterson and Smith had enough strength and mobility to hang with the Lakers while still putting points on the board. The biggest shock to the first quarter was the sheer lack of attack on the part of the Rockets. The lanes clogged up with cutters who tried to dump off really bad shuffle passes in traffic and this resulted in 5 turnovers. The Rockets head into the second quarter trailing 28-34.</p>
<p>Toney Douglas and Carlos Delfino did a gantastic job keeping the Rockets in this game. That can't be overstated. Something remains to be said about the coaching in the second quarter. Namely that either the coaches made adjustments or the Lakers youngsters started losing some composure. The Lakers were showing inexperience by making some poor choices resulting in turnovers and the Rockets collective youth showing up a bit. This resulted in a pretty unentertaining start to the quarter but it allowed the Rockets to draw things closer. The theme to the second quarter became physicality. Thankfully James Harden responded to this physicality with aggressive Euro-Step drives and forcing the issue with Kobe Bryant defending him. The Rockets took their first lead with 4:45 to go in the second quarter off Carlos Delfino's third three of the game with ample space to shoot. I can't wait for Clutchfans to post the highlight but at the 4:02 mark, Omer Asik's block on Kobe Bryant was beautiful. James Harden's drive on Kobe about midway through the second quarter seems to have ignited a Lakers run. Steven Nash played a major role in that as well with his passing and carving up the defense. Chandler Parsons looks like resolved to not let this game slip too far away from the Rockets, though, as he continued to attack the basket. Houston rolls into the half trailing 62-59.</p>
<p>The Rockets came out in the third quarter making the same stupid mistakes they made in the first half. The Lakers are absent Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard yet the Rockets still refuse to drive to the hoop and attempt a shot. I get it, you like to share the ball. That should not come at the expense of getting the already depleted Laker front line into foul trouble. The Rockets turn the ball over on their first few possessions for attempting crappy dump off passes in traffic when they were already in the air on the way to the basket. About midway through the third quarter the Rockets began to get aggressive and attack the basket again the game knotted up at 69 a piece with 6:18 to go in the third quarter because of it. The pace of the game picked up nearing the end of the third and it began to clearly favor the Houston Rockets. The Rockets lead the NBA in pace, by the way. Fortunately the Rockets also got the benefit of the Lakers missing shots that were going down earlier in the night. Housotn went up 87-80 on a 14-2 run with 2:37 left in the third quarter thanks in no small part to their aggressive driving opening up their three point shooters. It's amazing what can happen when you decide to be aggressive against a team that can't block your shot. Rockets fans should know considering we played that way for two years. With 1:09 in the third quarter James Harden joins Moses Malone for most consecutive games with 25 or more points (13 straight). The quarter ended on perhaps the polar opposite from its beginning. The Lakers cooled off, the Rockets began attacking, the chemistry began to shine through for the boys in white. The quarter ends on a 23-10 run and the Rockets go up 96-88.</p>
<p>Patrick Patterson kicked off the fourth quarter by showing how badly he wants his starting spot back. He skies over Sacre for the rebound and gets the and-one put back. Chandler Parsons went down at the 9:23 clutching his stomach after taking a knee to the gut. The team's dreaminess factor immediately declined by 80% and he took his 20 points with him. For a guy who has battled illness you hate to see him go down like that. Fortunately Chandler did check back in after the TV timeout. Jeremy Lin impressed me in the second half and it began to really stand out here in the fourth quarter where he showed a great deal of aggression. I really liked Jeremy's drive where he hits the ground screaming for joy and the first guy over to him was an exuberant Chandler Parsons helping him up and celebrating. This is what the Houston Rockets have become and I could not be happier with that scene. Clyde and Bill, as much as I hate listening to them, brought up the simple fact that the Rockets are at their best when Lin attacks the basket and pushes the tempo. Anyone else remember when people were wondering whether or not Lin and Harden could work together?</p>
<p>All in all this game had everything you really want to see in Rockets basketball when it's all said and done. There was the usual ugly 18 turnovers and frustrating play but you know what? So long as the #LakeShowIsCanceled I really don't care. Let's toss out the game awards:</p>
<p><b>Game Ball</b> - James Harden: 31 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds. 13 consecutive games over 25 points and the dude is just ice cold. I love it.</p>
<p><b>Spark Plug</b> - Jeremy Lin: 19 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals. I'm looking the other way on the 7 turnovers because after the schooling he got from Steve Nash he took the final exam in the fourth quarter and aced it.</p>
<p><b>Jeremy Lin Kick to the Groin</b> - Omer Asik: 2 points, 5 rebounds. You're better than this.</p>
<p><b>Triage Award</b> - Carlos Delfino: 19 points, 6 rebounds. His threes clawed the Rockets back into this game and did some major work for Houston tonight. I don't think that without Delfino keeping us alive the Rockets don't win this game.</p>
<p>For more, check out <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" target="_blank">Silver Screen and Roll.</a></p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1/8/3853706/the-lake-show-is-canceled-rockets-winBD342013-01-08T18:00:08-06:002013-01-08T18:00:08-06:00Game #35: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Lakers will attempt to keep their big boy pants untainted this evening in Houston. With Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan "Chill" out it's unclear exactly who will be asked to keep James Harden from getting to the rack. Feeling lucky tonight Robert Sacre?</p> <p></p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" height="666" align="center" width="577" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2012/2013 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"> <center> <img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91798/Los_Angeles_medium.gif" alt="Los_angeles_medium"> <br id="1357663477005"> </center> <center>(15-18)</center> </td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center> <center><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/91861/Houston_medium.gif" alt="Houston_medium"></center> <p>(20-14)</p> </center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>January 8th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Toyota Center - Houston, TX</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM CST</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>NBATV, CSNH</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Starting Lineups</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span style="text-align: start;"><span>Steve Nash</span></span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jeremy Lin</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" style="text-align: right;" width="240"><span>Jodie Meeks</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>James Harden</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Kobe Bryant</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Carlos Delfino</span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Metta World Peace</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Marcus Morris</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span style="text-align: start;"><span>Robert Sacre</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Omer Asik</span></span></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span style="text-align: start;">94.3 (3rd of 30)</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">97.0 (1st of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">108.7 (6th of 30)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">108.5 (7th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">106.6 (21st of 30)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">105.6 (15th of 30)</td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">Also see: <a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" target="_blank">Silver Screen and Roll</a> (<a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/8/3849586/preview-lakers-at-rockets" target="_blank">Preview</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LakersBlog_SSR" target="_blank">Twitter</a>) | <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1/8/3852930/complete-coverage-houston-rockets-vs-los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank">StoryStream</a> </th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p><strong>Injuries:</strong></p>
<p><span>Chandler Parsons</span>: flu-like symptoms, questionable for tonight</p>
<p><span>Steve Blake</span>: abdominal surgery, out tonight</p>
<p><span>Dwight Howard</span>: strained right shoulder, expected to miss one week</p>
<p><span>Pau Gasol</span>: concussion, will miss tonights game</p>
<p><span>Jordan Hill</span>: torn ligament in right hip, will miss at least one week</p>
<p><strong>The discussion begins now.</strong></p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1/8/3851008/game-35-los-angeles-lakers-vs-houston-rocketsthomasfenoglio2013-01-08T08:00:05-06:002013-01-08T08:00:05-06:00Rockets-Lakers game preview
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<img alt="Darius Morris: If Dwight and Pau aren't playing, doesn't that mean more shots for us? Steve Nash: Yeah baby. Kobe: Keep dreaming guys, I'm going for Wilt territory." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O9T5XfPQyceNM9QbGgDE9Kav3Ho=/0x26:4000x2693/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6211615/158663974.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Darius Morris: If Dwight and Pau aren't playing, doesn't that mean more shots for us? Steve Nash: Yeah baby. Kobe: Keep dreaming guys, I'm going for Wilt territory. | Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The Rockets host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, who will be without Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, and Jordan Hill. Check out what AK has to say about the game tonight. </p> <p><span>Lakers vs Rockets coverage</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Silver Screen and Roll</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/houston-rockets-tickets?pubid=82148">Houston Rockets Tickets</a></p>
<p>The Rockets have lucked out in the craziest way. The Lakers will be missing Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, and Jordan Hill. So no matchups since I don't know all the details.</p>
<p>Usually you hear me lament (read: bitch and moan) about how the little breaks don't go the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a>' way. There's always something going against the good guys. The Rockets will be playing their fourth game in five nights while their opponent is playing at home with three days rest. A player will come back from injury in order to play the Rockets, where he'll go off. Well that's not happening this season.</p>
<p>Against these very <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> last time in Houston, <span>Pau Gasol</span> didn't play. Tonight, all three major big men, including two future Hall of Famers (potentially), won't be dressed to play. The Lakers "bigs" are now <span>Antawn Jamison</span> and <span>Robert Sacre</span> (a good rookie out of Gonzaga, but I love Gonzaga so I'm not the most objective person here admittedly). That's it. Two guys.</p>
<p>The Rockets also didn't have to play against <span>Eric Gordon</span> when the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> came to Houston, even though he had played the night before. <span>Anderson Varejao</span> is almost back from injury but the Rockets didn't play against him in Cleveland. The Rockets played the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> twice sans <span>Amare Stoudemire</span>.</p>
<p>I'm not saying any of those players would have absolutely made the difference, but it's always easier to play a team with one fewer star.</p>
<p>If the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a> were missing their two big men, I'd say the Rockets would win with no problem. They're a good team, but without <span>Marc Gasol</span> or Z-Bo, they're average or worse. If you took the bigs from Chicago, you'd also be expecting a win.</p>
<p>Not the Lakers, though. You see, their backcourt involves two of the best guards ever. <span>Kobe Bryant</span> is playing maybe his best season ever at 34 (!!!) years of age. <span>Steve Nash</span> is still Nashty. Those two guys can still beat you by themselves. The Lakers can finally run a "Seven Seconds or Less" offense for Mike D'Antoni.</p>
<p>It's kind of a lose-lose situation for the Rockets. If they lose, it sucks because they lost to an undermanned team. If they win, they did what they were supposed to do against an undermanned team.</p>
<p>Two things about that:</p>
<p>1. Who cares? A win is a win is a win.</p>
<p>2. See number 1. No excuses. This is a game the Rockets have to win if they're serious about the playoffs.</p>
<p>Is this a game the Rockets can lose? Absolutely. Is it a game they should win? Yes.</p>
<p>The Lakers will still score a ton. Heck, their shooters might finally hit all their shots and the Rockets could lose by 30.</p>
<p>Or, Asik and Patterson could dominate the glass. Smith and Morris could contribute through their respective niches. <span>Chandler Parsons</span> could start slashing while trying to keep Kobe Bryant from scoring 50. Douglas and Delfino could be sparks off the bench if guys aren't hitting shots or playing defense.</p>
<p>And if Harden and Lin aren't attacking the basket from the tip then Kevin McHale will have done the worst job preparing his team for a game in the history of ever. No bigs=GO TO THE HOLE ALL NIGHT LONG!</p>
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<p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><b>Tip off is at 7pm CST. Let's go get it.</b></p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/1/8/3847930/houston-rockets-vs-los-angeles-lakers-game-previewArmin Khansari