A loss in Game 1 of a playoff series often changes predictions. There were multiple predictions, that the Los Angeles Lakers would crash out of the playoffs after they lost Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley predicted a Blazers sweep. But instead, the Lakers comfortably breezed them in five games.
Now coach Frank Vogel says in the upcoming series against the Rockets, they are going to more creative.
“We were still competing to win those games,” Vogel said. “But obviously, when you get into a seven-game playoff series there are so many more things you can be creative with on both sides of the ball that you wouldn’t see in a game like that, a regular-season game or a seeding game. So for the most part, we played them pretty straight up and the creativity comes now.”
Los Angeles Lakers not overconfident
The Rockets beat the Lakers in the seeding games. So the Lakers are heading into the series with caution. “We learned that (they) can beat us,” Vogel said. “That’s the No. 1 lesson.”
The Rockets beat the Lakers by 16 points in that game and James Harden scored 39. But in that clash, the Lakers missed their best player in LeBron James. They will be better equipped to win the game now but still cannot afford complacency.
The Lakers haven’t played in almost a week and that could hamper their momentum. But Kentavious Caldwell-Pope reveals they are staying ready for the game by looking at films on what to improve.
“We haven’t played in almost a week, just going into the film room, looking at little keys to get better, what we can do better, and also what we need to fix,” Caldwell-Pope said.
In the previous game, the Lakers lost due to their shooting struggles. They will have to improve their performance from the three-point line as they compete with the Rockets who shower threes all game.
Anthony Davis could prove to be the trump card for the Lakers. Although he was restricted to just eight shots in the last game, he will be aiming to be more dominant. With his physique, he should target on outmuscling the Rockets defenders and become a menace in the paint.
Will the Rockets be able to keep up with the Lakers or will they fold under pressure? We find out tonight.
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