Lakers Defeat Rockets 89-70: Size Does Matter!

In this year’s playoffs, the Lakers usually lose when they score less than 100 points, but not today. The Lakers' defense made the difference.

The Lakers used their size effectively to defeat the Houston Rockets 89-70 in Game Seven of their Western Conference Semifinal series. That was something they were unable to do in Houston in Game Four and Game Six.

But today, size really did matter as Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza clogged up the middle and forced the Rockets to shoot from outside. On the offensive boards they kept the ball alive and out-distanced the Rockets with second-chance points

The Lakers got off to an 8-0 start and closed out the first quarter with a 22-12 lead over the Rockets. Trevor Ariza led all scorers with nine points after the first quarter.

Though the Rockets tried to mount a comeback, the Lakers continued to get the ball in the hands of their big men to double their lead, and the first half ended with the Lakers up 51-31.

In the half, Ariza remained the high-scorer with 13 points. Pau Gasol had a double-double, with 11 points and 12 rebounds along with two blocks. Andrew Bynum had eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks.

The only player with any consistency for the Rockets was Von Wafer off the bench. The second round draft pick by the Lakers in 2005 had eight points on four-of-six shooting, though he only played eight minutes in the first half.

Aaron Brooks started to find the range in the third quarter, but the Rockets could hardly dent the Lakers' lead despite several Lakers turnovers. The quarter ended with the Lakers ahead 69-50.

The final period started with the two teams exchanging fouls as the Lakers second unit joined Pau Gasol on the court. Lamar Odom combined with Gasol to keep the Rockets off the boards and down at the offensive end, Gasol was unstoppable.

Whatever Gasol had for breakfast, he should continue to eat it every morning because he was a changed man. He played with an emotion and toughness that he hasn’t shown since way back in midseason and certainly not at all during the playoffs until today.

He finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Trevor Ariza had 15 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Kobe Bryant hit on only 4-of-12 for 14 points to go along with his seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Like Gasol, Andrew Bynum had his best game of the playoffs and ended with 14 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. Overall, the Lakers dominated the Rockets on the boards, 55-33 total and 13-5 on the offensive boards.

Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola were the high scorers for the Rockets with 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Lakers' defense held Shane Battier to one-of-six shooting and just three points while Ron Artest managed to sink only three-of-ten for seven points

The Lakers start their Western Conference Final Series against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at the Staples Center with Game Two to follow on Thursday night. Both contests begin at 6:00 p.m. Pacific on ESPN.  The NBA Draft Lottery precedes the Nuggets-Lakers game at 5:30 p.m.