This will be a match-up of two different styles. The ROckets love tp lay small ball and fire up threes from all over the gym while the Lakers play the Lakers way of controlling the paint and show-time fast breaks. The Lakers come in as the No.1 seed and against the fourth-seeded Houston Rockets. The Rockets are coming off a grueling Game 7 in their first-round series against the OKC Thunder. The Lakers come in well-rested after dispatching the Portland Trailblazers in five games.


Houston loves the three-point shot. They led the league during the regular season for three-pointers made at 15.6 which accounts for 40% of their scoring. In the playoffs, they have made 18.3 three points which have accounted for 50% of their scoring. Against OKC James Harden averaged 29.7 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.3 rebounds on 46.5% shooting from the field but hit just four of fifteen shots in Game 7.

The Lakers will look to take advantage of their size with Davis and James especially. James averaged a triple-double against the Blazers with 27.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists and shot 60.0% from the field and 46.4% from beyond deep. Davis should be able to get whatever he wants against the Rocket's small lineup as long as he exerts himself.

If the Rockets are not hitting there three this could be a long series. LA has a huge height advantage with Davis and James, let alone Magee, Howard, and others. As long as Davis demands the ball and becomes an ALPHA male the Lakers should control the pace of the games and the paint.

Play on the LA Lakers.