(LAL/HOU) Game 1 - Results Inside - Postgame comments

Lakers vs. Rockets
Game 1 (Round 1)
Saturday, Apr. 17
7:30 pm
TV: ESPN
Radio: KLAC-AM 570/KWKW-AM 1330
Recap | Box Score | Photos

Rockets - 71
Lakers - 72

Lakers lead series 1-0

O'Neal, Lakers Dunk Rockets
Shaquille O'Neal's dunk with 17.4 seconds left gave the Lakers the lead on the way to a 72-71 home win over the Rockets in Game 1 of their playoff series on Saturday. O'Neal finished with 20 points and 17 boards and Kobe Bryant scored 16, handed out six assists and made five steals for Los Angeles, which scored just nine points in the third quarter. The Lakers look to take a 2-0 lead in the series in Game 2 at 10:30 p.m. Monday (TNT).



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Kobe will posterize and destroy. Shaq will make Yao his b1tch. Stevie will whine and b1tch but the Lakers will win this game hands down.

7:30 EST?
or PST

hey i was thinking maybe we should have a playoff board like the all-star weekend board? that would be cool and it can be split up into each series or something?

We must win this game , we need kobe to have a great game like the last 2 games, and SHAQ must show why is called MDE

LETS GO DIESEL
LETS GO KOBE
LETS GO LAKERS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

malone playing?
and george?

ShadowRacer.com wrote:7:30 EST?
or PST

7:30 PDT (Pacific Daylight Saving Time)

http://www.clublakers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9678

It'll be tough but the Lakers can win. If Shaq puts his body on Yao like he did in the last meeting at Staples and doesn't allow him to get to his favorite spots on the floor for jump shots, it'll be no contest in the middle. Kobe will be his usual self and play brilliantly. The X-Factors are Karl, GP, and the bench. If Karl plays, it's a win for sure. If not, GP and the "role players" will have to step up even more. The Lakers D must also stop the pick-and-roll. :man7:

IT will be close all the way through, just like all the meetings this year. But like I said Shaq must force Yao off balance with his weight and we will definately be fine. We also need to keep a close eye on Jim Jackson. Finally I would like to add we definately need both home games to start out in my opinion, to win this series. Because if we go back to Houston tied 1-1 anything can happen. Lets go Lakers!!!!

will karl play?

yes Karl, is playing. He said so. And I also expect D-Fish to play too, but he isn't confirmed yet.

ohhh

Shobe wrote:yes Karl, is playing. He said so. And I also expect D-Fish to play too, but he isn't confirmed yet.

what happend to fish??? he got hurt too???

ya

how??

Well,we can win them easily if we play good D,and Shaq dosen't get foul trouble,then Houston will soon be eliminated!!

Oh,is Fish hurt that badly?he still played yesterday when the game was over!!

hope everyone get healthy!!

GO LAKERS!!NO.1!!

purple_and_gold_fever wrote:how??

I think Fish pulled his groin muscle towards the end of the game (someone correct me if I'm wrong). He should be fine. I'm more worried about Karl, but if he says he'll play and the sprain's not too severe, I'm sure he will.

i'm pissed, i wanted Minn. in the 2nd round and let the kings play spurs............without hudson Minn. has no chance vs Lakers, but wutever

i'll be cool as long as the spurs refs don't cheat.


houston rockets refs cheat too. u know in houston there's gonna be a game where shaq gets in foul trouble early and then it's over for us.

w/out horace grant we have no stem, malone can't guard yao.

i saw pretty tough win.

The Lakers will be fine in this series. I'm very comfortable with this matchup because we're playing the inexpereienced Houston Rockets rather than facing a high powered transitional firepowered team the Dallas Mavericks....good luck my hated rival Sacramento Kings. But back to my prediction:

I feel Kobe Bryant will do all he can to establish a offensive rhythm in this game. He's already coming off nights of 45 and 37 points. Combined a total 82 points. If Kobe gets going, it's going to be a long series for Houston. Also, with this overhyped matchup between Yao/Shaq, I feel Shaq will do everything he can to silence all the critics. And I'm looking for games in which he goes for at least 25 and 10. What every Laker fan should be looking at is Karl Malone's progress throughout the game, and how he'll go on his injury. I believe Phil will play him only 25-30 minutes and Slava will get most of the time out there. Even though GP is our 3rd option, I expect him to make wise decisions on every Laker possession, keep his team motivated, play aggressive-style defense, penetrate to the basket, create contact, and get to the foul line. And most importantly, keep Houston running up and down the court with our transitional game. I really feel this series will go five games with the Lakers taking it 4-1.

ShadowRacer.com wrote:7:30 EST?
or PST

The game is 9:30 eastern time ESPN

-bmac

IS KARL MALONE PLAYING IN SATURDAYS GAME?

-bmac

For all injury updates, check here

http://www.clublakers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9766

But anyways, A must win game. Just like every game now on. I am pumped and sooo freaking ready baby. Lets go Lakeshow!!!!

Let's go KOBE BABY I LOVE YOU.

bmac148 wrote:

ShadowRacer.com wrote:7:30 EST?
or PST

The game is 9:30 eastern time ESPN

-bmac

No, it's at 10:30 ET. And it'll also be on FSN, which is the channel I'll be watching, ESPN sucks (unless you can't get FSN, of course).

Good News: Lakers MAY have Fox , Malone , and Fisher for the Houston Series!

Positive developments on the injury front have made it possible the Lakers will have a full 12-man roster available for the start of the postseason. The club now expects starting forwards Karl Malone and Rick Fox and backup guard Derek Fisher to play Saturday night in the playoff opener against Houston.

With a new device to wear on his dislocated right thumb, Fox improved to the point that he's more assured of playing than fellow small forward Devean George, whose strained left calf kept him unable to raise up on his toes Thursday. But even if George misses the first two playoff games, he should be healed by Game 3 against Houston next Friday.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson on Wednesday all but ruled Fox out for the playoff opener, but he successfully practiced shooting and catching the ball with trainer Chip Schaefer using a less limiting splint on his thumb.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/8442788.htm