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Houston Rockets Recap: Rockets Get Job Done vs. Lakers

By Tamberlyn Richardson

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Houston Rockets Recap:

With the Rockets continual descent from the upper echelon of defense this game offered an opportunity for them to get their defensive mind set back.

20. . 99. 169. 87

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The Rockets jumped on Los Angeles right out of the gate and by the time the first quarter was over they had doubled the Lakers scoring 30-15. They continued the onslaught through the next 2 quarters before letting them up for air.

By the end of the third quarter they had amassed a 20-point lead 80-60. Though they let the Lakers win the final frame 27-19 the Lakers were never in this game. A much needed win and return to defensive intensity.

THE STARTERS

Rockets. JAMES <STRONG>HARDEN</STRONG>. A+. <a href=. SG

 <strong><br /></strong><p>Had a pretty poor shooting night, but was key on the defensive end. </p>. PG. Rockets. PATRICK <STRONG>BEVERLEY</STRONG>. C+

SF. Rockets. TREVOR <STRONG>ARIZA</STRONG>. A. <strong><br /></strong><p><a href=

B. Had a decent effort considering he was the main focus out of the gate without his front court partner Howard in the line up. I keep reminding myself this is just his third season and he is still a work in progress.. PF. Rockets. DONATAS <STRONG>MOTIEJUNAS</STRONG>

<p>Without Howard available Dorsey stepped into the starting line-up and did a passable job. He doesn’t try to do too much and though his numbers dwarf what the Rockets generally get from the position. If Howard misses multiple games we’ll see whether he can contribute on the same level as Tarik Black did when he was in the position early in the season. </p>. C. Rockets. JOEY <STRONG>DORSEY</STRONG>. C

THE BENCH

COREY <STRONG>BREWER</STRONG>. B. <p>Another solid effort from Brewer in terms of his energy, focus and commitment on defense. Not a huge night scoring but like Ariza he does whats necessary on a nightly basis. </p>. SG/SF. Rockets

Rockets. JASON <STRONG>TERRY</STRONG>. B-. <p>Ably led the reserves and kept the emphasis on defense early. He is the perfect vet for this team and hopefully his professionalism will rub off on Josh Smith just through osmosis.   </p>. PG/SG

PF. Rockets. JOSH <STRONG>SMITH</STRONG>. B. While I continue to adjust to the roller coaster ride that is Josh Smith I try to keep an open mind on the pluses that could be recognized later in the season. I wish he’d stop taking three point shots and I wish he’d demonstrate more of a team commitment, but I’m happy to take more nights like this.  

We also got to see a glimpse of Clint Capella who didn’t blow us away but we can definitely see the promise of the future. I’m a little concerned by the dip in Kostas Papinikolaou’s performance of late yet we’ll give him a pass and hope it’s just the lack of rhythm from inconsistent minutes. Too bad Isaiah Canaan is in the D League as this would have been the perfect game to get him some run.

Of note: we keep hearing Terrence Jones is progressing which has me begging the question how long until his return and more importantly how will his return effect Josh Smith’s minutes and the overall chemistry of the team?

As always we welcome your words of wisdom in our comments section!

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