Yesterday, the Rockets scored a whopping 148 points against the Suns, but today they only scored 98 points against the Lakers. This was not just due to the fatigue from the back-to-back games, but also because the Lakers created a whole new kind of game experience for the Rockets – a true playoff atmosphere.
What does a playoff atmosphere really mean?
A few days ago, the Suns won four games in a row, and rookie Devin Booker excitedly said, “This feels like the playoffs.” However, he soon realized that he was still inexperienced, so he added, “At least this is the closest I can imagine the playoffs being like.” But the following game proved that this understanding was only superficial. The Suns lost the next three games in a row, and the Rockets ended up scoring 148 points. The real playoffs are not just about passion and fast-paced offense on the court, but also require thorough tactical preparation, in-depth research of the opponent, targeted tactical arrangements, adaptation to various unfavorable situations, and reliance on the individual abilities of key players in critical moments.
The Suns did not create a real playoff atmosphere for the Rockets, while the Lakers did.
The Lakers precisely controlled the pace, and the Rockets had difficulty adapting
Although the intensity of the game was not yet comparable to that of the playoffs, the Lakers deliberately slowed the game down and made it very even. Throughout the game, the Lakers only scored 10 points from fast breaks, while the Rockets scored 13. The two teams also only took 89 shots each and both had around 17 free throws. In the last 12 games, the Rockets have taken an average of 93.4 shots per game, made 14 3-pointers and been awarded 23.4 free throws.
The last time the Rockets beat the Lakers was in early January, when the Lakers were missing Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis scored 30 points, but the Lakers lost 10 rebounds. However, this game was different. The Lakers, with the three field control experts Dončić, James and Reeves, firmly controlled the pace.
The Associated Press commented after the game: “The Lakers played their 19th game in 35 days, and at times it looked like they were a little tired.” However, this was exactly what the Lakers intended to do. They scored only 16 points in the first quarter, while the Rockets scored 19. The Lakers scored 66 points in the second and third quarters through patient offensive setups, and then slowed down the tempo again in the fourth quarter, scoring only 22 points, while the Rockets scored 21.
James’ precise defense limited the Rockets’ offense
The Lakers played small-ball during the game, with James even playing center, and successfully limited the Rockets’ most experienced point guard, Van Gundy, through switching. Van Gundy only made 2 of 14 shots in the game, scoring just 7 points, which is only half of his season average. Inexperienced player Jaren Green was even more lost, making just 4 of 13 shots and 2 of 11 3-pointers, for a total of just 9 points. The two core players combined for 6 of 27 shooting, and the Rockets’ offense was in trouble as a result.
The Lakers’ three ball handlers were patient in finding opportunities to break through to the basket under the Rockets’ tough defense. However, they knew that it would be extremely difficult to score with a breakaway with the Rockets having Jabari Smith and Shengjing. Therefore, once the Rockets tightened their defense, the Lakers decisively passed the ball to the outside, shooting 46 three-pointers and making 16. Among them, Finn Smith and Vince combined to hit 12 three-pointers.
The Lakers’ recent outside shooting strategy has been quite effective. They previously hit 19 three-pointers against the Grizzlies and 17 against the Pacers. In this game, they continued to use this tactic, which effectively contained the Rockets’ defense.
Young Rockets exposed three major weaknesses
Despite the Rockets’ outstanding record, their overly young lineup exposed three major problems in the game:
- Lack of independent problem-solving ability
The Rockets rely too heavily on Van Vleet, whose ability to score in key moments is limited. In the final quarter, he only scored 2 points from three-point foul shots. Jaren Green was even kept on the bench by head coach D’Antoni for the last 3 minutes and 30 seconds of the game, and was only replaced in the last 11 seconds of the game. - Poor emotional management
In the second half of the fourth quarter, after dunking, Ethan yelled at the Lakers player, and was subsequently blown a technical foul. Such emotional behavior can be fatal in a crucial game. - Inadequate experience in critical moments
In the final two or three minutes of the game, the Rockets were clearly inferior to the Lakers in handling key rounds. Both James and Dončić have participated in the finals many times, and their calmness and decision-making ability in critical moments is far superior to the Rockets players. For example, when Finn Smith was double-teamed in the last 13 seconds and a turnover was imminent, James decisively called a timeout to defuse the crisis.
James’s crucial block: experience makes the difference
In the final moments of the game, James showed excellent defensive judgment. When Shengjing prepared to turn around and attack, James accurately predicted his movement and quickly defended to deliver a crucial block, completely extinguishing the Rockets’ hopes of a comeback.
Of course, not all the young players’ performances were disappointing. Amen Thompson played aggressively and scored a team-high 20 points. Jabari Smith grabbed 11 rebounds despite the Lakers’ multiple man-to-man defense and had the team’s highest plus-minus rating of +2. However, the Rockets failed to effectively use these rebounds to convert them into counterattack points.
Summary: Losing is not a bad thing, the Rockets gained valuable experience
Despite losing to the Lakers, the Rockets still have a 1.5-game lead over the Nuggets. This game was more like a playoff simulation for them, allowing them to experience playoff-level competition in advance.
The upcoming schedule is still full of challenges for the Rockets, as they will face the Thunder, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, and finally the Nuggets. If the Rockets’ record against the Nuggets is already set, they can take some time off to rest and maintain the best lineup for the playoffs. This loss may become an important lesson on the road to growth for the Rockets, making them more mature and stable in the future playoffs.
