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Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 1 Predictions


Written May 4, 2009 by Jason Lowry

 

Lakers Rockets BasketballThe No.1 seeded Los Angeles Lakers will look to stay on the right path to the NBA Finals when they take on the No.4 seeded Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday night in Los Angeles and not many if anyone is giving the Rockets a chance to win this series. For the Lakers it was relatively easy in the first round, as they cruised past the Utah Jazz in 5 games. For the Rockets they pulled off the minor upset against the No.4 seeded Portland Trail Blazers in 6 games, but the big story was this being the first time the Rockets have made it out of the first round since 1997. The Rockets are making their playoff run without one of their best players, as they lost Tracy McGrady for the season. During the regular season the Lakers dominated the Rockets winning all 4 games, but as everyone knows that doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to not only win game 1 but win the series, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread in game 1.

What the Rockets have to do to win: While I feel the Rockets have the defense to hang with the Lakers and possibly win a game or two, I don’t think they have the offense to win this series, and that is where they really miss McGrady. For the Rockets to win they are going to need a big series from Yao Ming, as I think Ming needs to average close to 25 points a game in this series, and he has to be a force on the defensive side of things as well. Shane Battier and Ron Artest are also big pieces to the Rockets success, as they will not only have the responsibility of shutting down Kobe Bryant, but they will have to score the ball as well. The Rockets got a team best 16 points from Luis Scola in round 1, and he will need to be a threat in this series. Lastly this team isn’t very deep, so it can’t afford to get in foul trouble. It won’t be easy for the Rockets, but when you play defense you can steal some games in the playoffs, its just will they be able to steal 4 games against the best team in the West. Bet the Houston Rockets +8 at Sportsbook.com. 

What the Lakers need to do to win: As good as Bryant is, its likely he will have a little tougher time getting it going in this series, so the Lakers are going to need a strong series from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. I think that both of these players will pose a problem for the Rockets, and it only will get worse for them if Andrew Bynum is healthy and ready to go this series. Its not that I don’t think Bryant will have a good series, I just don’t think you will see him going off for 40 points in this series. Where the Lakers are really strong is off the bench, and I feel like they could sweep this series if the bench plays up to its potential. One of the key bench players Luke Walton might not be ready to go at the start of this series, and he is one of the key pieces for this team. The Lakers can’t let Yao have to many easy looks, as the 7 foot 6 inch center has really picked up his offensive game with the loss of McGrady. As long as the Lakers don’t look past the Rockets, this team is headed to the Western Conference Finals. Bet the Los Angeles Lakers -8 at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Lakers -8. Sorry Houston fans, but you aren’t going into LA and hanging with the Lakers in game 1. The Lakers are fully rested, as they haven’t played in a week. I think the Rockets can keep it close early, but I feel like the Lakers will run away with this one in the 2nd half. 

For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the Lakers Rockets series, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and make sure you have the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.

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7 Responses to “Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 1 Predictions”

  1. Gary S. on May 4th, 2009 2:17 PM

    Do you know why the Lakers are playing Houston, 5th seed instead of the 6th seed Dallas? I thought that the 1 seed always drew the worst seed in the conference.
    I like that lakers here too.

  2. Josh Smith on May 4th, 2009 11:28 PM

    Hey Jason,

    Bet you feel pretty dumb now huh???

  3. Eddie on May 4th, 2009 11:50 PM

    Hey Jason,

    Still feel like your lakers are going to win game 1?
    Wanna go double or nothing for game 2?

    Here’s a newsflash for you….we ain’t Utah.

    Oh and you forget about Yao. You need to worry about our gaurd play. Yours are very old and slow.

    We have huge men, people who can stop Koby and gaurds you can’t keep up with.

    Them’s the facts. Oh, and you guys never had to play against our new gaurds, in the regular season. It makes all the difference.

    Brooks ate your lunch.

    Anyway, looking for some crow tasting to occur on this site.

  4. eugin on May 5th, 2009 12:27 AM

    Famous last words of your writer: ” My Prediction: Lakers -8. Sorry Houston fans, but you aren’t going into LA and hanging with the Lakers in game 1. The Lakers are fully rested, as they haven’t played in a week. I think the Rockets can keep it close early, but I feel like the Lakers will run away with this one in the 2nd half. ”

    God I LOVE watching you so-called “experts” having to eat your own feces.

  5. warren on May 5th, 2009 12:32 AM

    this goes to show that ”expert” sports analyzers suck and need to get real jobs.

  6. Talon on May 5th, 2009 6:08 AM

    Easy to read the newspaper and fashion your prediction from the local fish wrap; hard to do actual analysis.

    Sorry back to flipping burgers!

  7. Gary S. on May 5th, 2009 2:44 PM

    A lot of haters, I suppose you guys do great on your own,NOT! thats why your in here looking for picks.

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