Tuesday evening NBA action, and we will see the Houston Rockets grapple with the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series. This contest will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers took Game 1, 107-98, and they have now won the last three games played between these teams. Can the Rockets bounce back, or will the Lakers grab a commanding 2-0 mark in the series? Continue reading to see my Rockets vs Lakers prediction.<\/p>\n
Houston -5; Over\/Under 207<\/strong><\/p>\n The Houston Rockets didn\u2019t just lose Game 1, they looked out of sync doing it. The final score doesn\u2019t fully show how uncomfortable the offense felt. Houston shot under 45% from the field and never found a steady rhythm. They also committed costly turnovers at the wrong times, which killed any momentum. This is a team that averaged over 115 points per game, yet couldn\u2019t crack 100 here. That\u2019s a concern heading into Game 2, especially with the series already leaning the other way.<\/p>\n There were still a few bright spots. Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn<\/a> had moments inside, using his footwork to create offense. Amen Thompson<\/a> impacted the game with energy and rebounding. But the perimeter production just wasn\u2019t there. Kevin Durant<\/a> remains the key piece, and his questionable status<\/a> hangs over everything. Jabari Smith Jr.<\/a> and Reed Sheppard<\/a> need to stretch the floor more effectively. When Houston isn\u2019t hitting from outside, everything tightens up quickly.<\/p>\n Game 2 is about composure<\/a> as much as execution. Houston doesn\u2019t need to reinvent anything, just clean up the details. Better spacing, smarter shot selection, and fewer wasted trips would go a long way. They also need to avoid falling into another slow start. Playing from behind against a veteran team is not ideal. If they can settle in early and play more freely, this series can still shift.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> handled Game 1 like a team that\u2019s been here before. Their win wasn\u2019t about highlight plays, it was about control. They shot over 50% from the field and dictated the pace from the opening tip. Even more impressive, they did it without Luka Doncic<\/a>\u00a0and Austin Reaves<\/a>. That says a lot about their structure right now. Both are out for this game as well. The Lakers didn\u2019t rush anything and made Houston work for every point.<\/p>\n LeBron James<\/a> continues to set the tone, even at this stage of his career. He controlled the tempo and picked his spots efficiently. Deandre Ayton<\/a> was a steady presence inside, finishing efficiently around the rim. Rui Hachimura<\/a> and Marcus Smart<\/a> brought physicality on both ends. Luke Kennard<\/a> spaced the floor and kept the defense honest. It wasn\u2019t one guy dominating, it was everyone contributing.<\/p>\nHouston Rockets<\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Lakers<\/h3>\n