NBA Western Conference Semifinals Schedule: Los Angeles Lakers Feeling Pressure, Looks to Even Series with Houston Rockets

While the Houston Rockets won 53 games in the regular season not many people gave them much of a chance in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers yet by the end of the game they walked off the court with a 1-0 lead. On Wednesday they could find themselves in an even better situation if the Lakers don’t find a way to answer their defensive pressure.

Not only was Houston aggressive on the defensive end of the court but on the offensive end as well as they went to the foul-line 29 times, ten more than the Lakers, and that provided a 10-point advantage for the Rockets. That disparity was in large part due to the Lakers willingness to rely on a perimeter game and while they attempted 15 more shots from the floor than the Rockets they made just four more.

LA appeared to be content letting Kobe Bryant look for shots as the All-Star hoisted up 31 shots in the game and while he scored 32 points there was little contribution from the rest of the squad. That was obvious on the defensive end as they had no answer for Yao Ming, Ron Artest or Aaron Brooks and if they don’t stop them on Wednesday they could be heading to Houston in an 0-2 hole.

Monday night’s 100-92 victory gave Houston assurance that a balanced effort with everybody playing their role could upend the Lakers juggernaut. Artest and Battier picked up the defensive slack for the Rockets while Yao and Brooks made life difficult for LA’s defense. If they could get a big game from Luis Scola on Wednesday it could give the Lakers another headache.

Los Angeles will need a bigger game from Pau Gasol who did his part on the boards but really needs to be an offensive threat to free Kobe. They will also need Derek Fisher to step up after a poor 3-10 shooting performance in Game 1 that included just 3 assists.

Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.

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