Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 3 Predictions
Written May 8, 2009 by Jason Lowry
After a rough game 1, where the Houston Rockets won convincingly 100-92, the Los Angeles Lakers respond with a 111-98 win in game 2 to tie the series up at 1-1. The big story coming from game 2, was how physical the game was, as Ron Artest for the Rockets and Dereck Fisher of the Lakers were both ejected on separate plays, and even Kobe Bryant picked up a technical foul. While Artest is back for game 3, Fisher is suspended for game 3. In game 2 it was all Bryant, as Kobe dropped 40 on the Rockets. The Lakers also got 22 and 14 rebounds from Pau Gasol, and 12 points from Fisher, but no other Laker scored in double figures. For the Rockets Ron Artest led the way with 25 points, but the Rockets also got a nice 21 points from Carl Landry off the bench. The difference for this team, was the offensive output of Yao Ming, as Ming went from scoring 28 points in game 1, to just 12. Both Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola were ice cold from the field, as the two combined were 10 of 29 from the floor. The good news for the Rockets is the series is headed to Houston, where they will try and keep home court advantage by winning the next two at home. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.
What the Lakers have to do to win: I don’t know Bryant will be able to score 40 again in this series, but if he shoots it nearly 30 times like he did in game 2, he just might. This team is going to really miss Fisher on the floor, as that means a lot more playing time from the youngster Shannon Brown, but that might not be too bad of thing, as Brown has really played well this postseason. I think Gasol needs to keep having big games down low, as Andrew Bynum is playing some pretty bad basketball right now, as he isn’t scoring and is fouling nearly every time a defender comes near him. Artest has really done a good job on Lamar Odom in this series, and you can tell the Lakers miss his scoring. The Lakers did get Luke Walton back in game 2, and he really helps out the bench play with Fisher out. It won’t be easy on the road for this team, and I am really curious to see what this team does in game 3, if Bryant doesn’t score 30+ points. Bet the Lakers -1 to win at Sportsbook.com.
What the Rockets have to do to win: The Rockets need to get Ming more involved in game 3, as Ming had his way with the Lakers in game 1, but got just 4 shots in game 2. A big reason for that was Ming spent most of the game in foul trouble, and that is something he can’t be doing if this team wants to pull of the upset in this series. Artest has been great to start the series, and his offensive outburst is huge for this team, as he is already doing such a good job on the defensive side of things. I look for Scola and Brooks to have a much better shooting night on their home court, but it will be interesting to see if Landry continues to play well of the bench, or if someone else steps in and helps this team on the offensive end. I think the Rockets need to try and limit Bryant’s shots, especially when he is shooting it as good as he was in game 2, but that is easier said than done. The Rockets really struggled to move the ball around, but I think that had a big thing to do with Yao sitting on the bench for most of the game. Look for a lot more wide open shots in game 3, but it will be a matter if the open guy can make the shot. Bet the Rockets +1 to win at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Rockets -1. I think that Yao has a big game, and the Lakers really struggle without their starting point guard. The line is pretty much a toss up, as you really don’t gain much from picking the Rockets +1, so the wise play is to just go for the straight money line in this one.
Those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the game this Friday, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks, and the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.
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