Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 7 Predictions
Written May 17, 2009 by Jason Lowry
Sunday Afternoon the Los Angeles Lakers will try an avoid being upset and knocked out of the playoffs when they host the Houston Rockets in game 7 of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup. After beating the Rockets by 40 points in game 5, the Lakers struggled to get much of anything going at Houston, as the Rockets took game 6 95-80. The Rockets were led by Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks. Brooks led the way for the Rockets with 26 points, while Scola added 24 points and 12 rebounds. The Rockets also got 14 points from Ron Artest and 15 from Carl Landry. For the Lakers Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 32 points, but that was about it as the next highest scorer was Pau Gasol with 14. The Lakers also got some quality play off their bench from Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar. Odom had 8 points and 14 rebounds, while Farmar chipped in with 13 points in just 21 minutes. Game 7 is do or die for both teams, but the series does head back to Los Angeles where the Lakers have been a much better team. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.Â
What the Rockets need to do to win: The Rockets have to find someway to play as well on the road, as they do at home. Brooks is the key to this team right now with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady out of action, and he has to step up or the Rockets season is likely over. Someone else will have to step up in the scoring department, just as Scola did in game 6. Both Ron Artest and Shane Battier are capable of doing just that, but both are spending so much energy on the defensive side of things. The bench will also need to play well, as they need guys to come off the bench and hit shots. Landy was great in game 6, but Kyle Lowry is also very capable of having a big night. I think the biggest thing is defense, as this team can really make it tough for the other team to score the ball. I also think its very important that the Rockets don’t let the Lakers get off to a fast start, as they need to keep the home crowd out of the game as much as possible. Bet the Rockets +12.5 at Sportsbook.com.
What the Lakers have to do to win: The Lakers have to show up in game 7, or this will be one of the biggest upsets of the postseason. Not taking anything away from the Rockets, but they don’t have their two best players. Bryant needs to have a big game, and whether thats scoring the basketball or getting others involved, he will be the reason why this team wins or loses this game. The Lakers need a much better showing out of Gasol, as they need this guy to score a lot closer to 20 points a game. Between Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher, and Andrew Bynum the trio combined to score just 9 points, and the Lakers will need more out of these guys if they are going to win this game. The bench play of Odom and Farmar are also big keys to this game for the Lakers, as they need some scoring when the starters are resting up. Defensively the Lakers need to find a way to slow down Brooks, as he has been the key to the Rockets two wins late in this series. Expect this team to play much better than game 6. Bet the Lakers -12.5 to win at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Lakers -12.5. I have a hard time believing that the Rockets could come into Los Angeles and beat the Lakers on their home floor in game 7, and the way the games have gone late, with each team blowing out the other on their home floor, you have to like the Lakers to cover the 12.5 points. I look for a big game from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the game this weekend, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and NBA odds at Betfirms.
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One Response to “Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets Game 7 Predictions”
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This isn’t a game of odds anymore. With the fight that the Rockets have been showing, predictions haven’t applied to this team. Our guys have played fantastic and I really hope we knock the Lakers off of their high horse today!
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