LAKERS vs ROCKETS (POST-GAME REPORT)

LAKERS 102 - ROCKETS 96

What an exciting 2nd half to watch. A day after watching the Clippers meltdown to Lebron and company, we watch Kobe try to rally at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Playing without Lamar Odom and a still injured Andrew Bynum, forwards Josh Powell and Trevor Ariza were inserted in to the starting lineup, and played very well. Josh Powell had 17 points and 9 rebounds against a very good defensive backcourt including Yao Ming and Luis Scola. JPeezy even had a dunk on the 7'7 giant which to me, was Powell's greatest moment as a laker. Maybe even his best game. Trevor accepted the starting role today and had 8 points 6 rebounds 3 assists and 2 steals and did an exceptional job on Ron Artest holding him to 4-16.

Pau Gasol played great defense on Yao Ming. Sealing for position then beating him to the spot, Pau grabbed 4 steals en route to the Lakers victory. 20 points and 5 rebounds helped the team come down from a 14 point deficit. Kobe Bryant showed again why he is the reigning MVP. After a little scuffle with Artest, Kobe went into another gear. After scoring only 6 points in the first half, Kobe ended with 37 points 4 steals and a big block on Artest but still couldn't shut him up. As Artest kept talking, Kobe kept scoring. There is usually a dagger when Kobe goes for the win, like in the last matchup against the Rockets where he barried a 3 to seal the game. Tonight, Kobe took the dagger and kept stabbing it in the middle of the Rockets chest. The fourth quarter belonged to Kobe Bryant. Against two of the better defenders in the league in Shane Battier and Ron Artest, Mamba scored 18 points all in that single quarter. He showed that he is truly unstoppable and is the greatest closer in our game.

Next up, a back to back Texas two-step in San Antonio. The last time we were there Roger Mason hit a shot and DFish helped him win the game by sending him to the line. I expect a totally different game, and hopefully Kobe doesn't do the "Mr. Big Balls" dance, it tends to jinx us for the win. I expect the Lakers to take this one on the road and come home 2-1 for the road trip. They've gained confidence from winning against one of the better Western Conference team with an undermanned team, with Lamar Odom back in the lineup it should be a total mismatch.