Anyone else get the impression the Lakers are sleepwalking?

[Journeyman]

They seem to be doing just enough to get by , and again tonight look like they are playing at 50%...

I hope this group of HOF`ers puts it altogether a couple times before this playoffs is over...its been nothing but ho-hum from this group all year...

Tonight for example, Houston looks like dogshit (Francis firing low % bricks) and Houston is still right in the game...The Lakers will pull away in the 4th (as they always do in these contests)

I`d like to see them light somebody up for like 135 for old time sake!

 

[Dante]

wow they are doing something.....whast the record for lowest points in a Quarter for a team?

 

[NickyDeuces]

Showtime 49 after three.

I disagree on Lakers pulling away. Rockets take this one to the wire. At least that's the plan.

 

[Journeyman]

"WHAT is going on here"

This is a brickfest!

 

[postaldoug]

I hope Lakers lose. I hate them like some hate Yanks, plus I bet Houston. I already marked H2 under 89 a winner.

Go Rockets !

Doug

 

[WildBill]

You better hope for no OT!!!

Lakers are looking like an old team with little chemistry. No surprises there. Looks like Kareem Rush is the guy that has to bail them out tonight...

 

[Journeyman]

Pull it out at the end on a rebound off an airball....Oh brother!

 

[OMNIVOROUS FROG]

This Laker squad is the biggest overrated chalk I have ever seen. They have very little chance of getting through Spurs and Wolfs back to back without home field. What a paper favorite! Best Wishes...OF

 

[wilheim]

Shaquille O'Neal's only basket of the second half, a dunk off an airball by Kobe Bryant with 17.4 seconds remaining, provided the winning points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 72-71 victory Saturday night over the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers shot 25 percent in the second half (10-of-40) and 32.9 percent overall, and were outrebounded 51-41. Still, they emerged with the victory when Jim Jackson missed an open 3-pointer from the left corner just before time expired.

With the Rockets leading by one point and the shot clock running down, Bryant tried a 3-pointer despite having two defenders on him and missed everything. But O'Neal snatched the ball out of the air and rammed it into the basket while being fouled by Yao Ming, who committed his sixth personal.

O'Neal missed the free throw - his 10th failure in 14 attempts from the foul line - and the Rockets got the rebound and called timeout. Steve Francis drove around two defenders but ran into O'Neal, forcing him to pass the ball to Jackson in the corner. The shot hit the rim and bounced away as time ran out.

O'Neal scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half and also had 17 rebounds. Bryant took just one shot in the first half and finished with 16 points, five rebounds and six assists, shooting 4-for-19 from the field.

Francis led the Rockets with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jackson and Maurice Taylor added 11 points each; Yao had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Cuttino Mobley also scored 10.

 

[NickyDeuces]

Lakers have head or ego problems. They haven't been quite right all season. Could be a carryover of the Spurs bringing them to tears last season.

Francis should have tried to go strong, draw contact, hope for the best. Still, they got an open look. Lakers now 3-14 ATS (13-4 SU) last 17 home playoff games. IMO, Houston remains no better than fifth best in the West, but may just take 'em again next time. Or maybe not. Help me Wil.

 

[wilheim]

All I can say is - where was Robert Horry when the Rockets needed him?


wil.

 

[WildBill]

Lets all not forget the refs factor. After last season's ratings debacle once the Lakers fell, I wouldn't be surprised to see another theft like the refs gave the Lakers a couple years ago to help out. Maybe we should have Rail do some ref handicapping for us, he seems to have those figured out

 

[AfraidOfBush]

They truly have not blown out ANYONE this year. Really disappointed in my team. They won't make the finals.

 

[TheGeneral+]

Lakers have a decent chance to win again.

 

[SportsBettingTrivia.com]

Rockets got great look..Jackson makes that shot most of the time..Francis got bad break on circus shot he was fouled on by Shaq..VG almost lost his mind..Other coaches get Ts in that situation..Refs respect VG and played on..

Kobe got a save by Shaq on last shot..Ming needs years in the league to understand positioning and thats just seasoning..Francis so frustrated..Malone looks lost..he and Payton pull up chair and watch Kobe..

At the end Lakers stand with win and Shaq in locker room..Gives big wink of the eye to his boy Kobe..

 

[Journeyman]

Lakers started the year streaking (18-3)

Lakers finished the year streaking (16-3)

Oh by the way 34-6

 

[WEEKENDALKI]

They had better drink some stronger coffee if they think they are getting to the finals.

 

[RobFunk]

'let the boys play' ****'n sucks. if they can hack the crap out of anyone, they will. blow the ****'n whistle so guys can get in foul trouble and we can see some ****'n offense. anybody can play in the ****'n NBA if they allow that much ****'n hacking to go on. ill make my own ****n NBA team, ****n me and journey. .journey just ****n elbow everbody in the ****'n face while I score. you dont even need 5 ****'n players with that much ****'n fouling.

it's ****'n rediculous. 'let the boys play' only worked back in the day when the teams had any ****'n talent.