BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus!

$20 Free Play at Sportsbook.com
Your first bet is free when you open a new account at sportsbook.com!

Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 2 Predictions

Written May 6, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Lakers Rockets Basketball It didn’t take long for the Houston Rockets to let the Los Angeles Lakers know that this is going to be a little tougher series than they might have anticipated. In game 1 the Rockets came into LA and really controlled the game from start to finish, as they never trailed at the end of a period on their way to a 100-92 victory. The Rockets got a huge game from Yao Ming, who had 28 points and 10 rebounds, including a couple big baskets after missing a short period of time late in the game with a knee injury. The Rockets also got a great performance our of Ron Artest, who had 21 points and 7 assists, and was a big factor on the defensive side. Aaron Brooks was a real factor in game 1, scoring 19 points, and it was much needed with Luis Scola scoring just 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting. For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant had a game high 32 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, but he was the only Laker who got it going in game 1, as the next closest to Kobe was Pau Gasol with 14 points. Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum each had 10 points a piece, and Lamar Odom had just 9 points coming off the bench. Game 2 will stay in LA, and it could be the game that decides the series, as the Lakers need it to at least salvage a split on their home floor, while the Rockets could take a commanding lead in their quest of a huge upset. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win game 2, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.

What the Rockets have to do to win: I’ll be honest I was really shocked with the play of the Rockets in game 1, but I wasn’t very far off at all on what the Rockets had to do to win the game. I though Yao needed to score 25 or more points, and he did. I thought Artest and Battier needed to be factors on the defensive side of things, and score the ball, and lastly I thought they had to stay out of foul trouble, and Ming was the only player with more than 2 fouls with 4. I think a lot of the same things will have to happen in game 2. The Rockets did a lot of things right in game 1, and it will be interesting to see if they can keep up that same kind of play in game 2. The Lakers are going to come out hungry and ready to go, but there is no question the Rockets can win this game. Bet the Rockets +9.5 at Sportsbook.com.

What the Lakers have to do to win: I know Bryant had 32 points in game 1, but he needs to get the rest of the team going in game 2. It wasn’t completely his fault, as the rest of the Lakers really weren’t shooting the ball all that well. Bynum was able to play just 15 minutes in game 1, thanks to foul trouble, and he needs to stay out on the floor longer in game 2. Because Bynum picked up 2 fouls in the first 3 minutes of the game, Odom had to come off the bench early and played well, but the rest of the reserves were of little use. Gasol has to be a bigger factor in game 2, as he has to find a way to score over Ming. The Rockets are going to play tough defense, so the Lakers better come ready to play in game 2. I think we will see a much different Lakers team, at least Laker fans better hope so. Bet the Lakers -9.5 at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Rockets +9.5. I don’t think the Rockets win game 2, but I do think this game is going to be close throughout. I feel like the Lakers grab game 2, and get right back in the series. I think we will see a little more aggression on the defensive side of things for the Lakers, and I think that will learn to a lot more fast break scoring.

For all of you looking for some NBA betting help this postseason, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.