Lakers-Rockets expert prediction for first-round…
The Lakers have a powerful job forward of them.
Without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (indirect), they’re going to face Kevin Durant and the Rockets.
This could be the last NBA playoff matchup between the Rockets’ Kevin Durant and the Lakers’ LeBron James. AP
Here’s what you need to know about LA’s first-round NBA opponent:
Current standing
The Rockets struggled with accidents and chemistry throughout the season, but they discovered their groove during the stretch run, profitable eight straight video games and 9 of their last 10 to close the season.
The Lakers equally discovered themselves at the end of the season, going on a 15-2 run in March. But then they misplaced Doncic and Reaves against the Thunder on April 2. Without the 60 factors that those stars present, the staff has been turned upside down.
The Rockets are absolutely going to strive to take benefit of the Lakers’ chaos. They’ve had a lot of time to work out their kinks after dropping level guard Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL in September and middle Steven Adams to a left ankle surgical procedure in January.
Without VanVleet, turnovers have been a big issue for the Rockets — as properly as blown leads and inefficiency. But currently, they’ve tightened issues up. Durant has been taking part in MVP-caliber basketball. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson have made leaps this season. And when Tari Eason shines, he helps open the court for everybody else.
The Rockets are organized, deliberate and have the scale and talent to dominate this collection. The Lakers are best when they’re transferring the ball and working, but without their top two stars, they’re going to have to play a fully different model of basketball.
What makes this matchup fascinating
The Lakers’ LeBron James is in his twenty third NBA season and will face the Rockets in a first-round playoff matchup. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
There are two causes this will likely be enjoyable: LeBron James and Durant.
James, in Season 23, and Durant, in Season 18, are two of the top gamers of this technology, and they’re still superstars at ages 41 and 37, respectively. They’re both tasked with carrying their groups’ offenses.
They’ve met thrice in the NBA Finals. James and the Heat gained their first battle in 2012. Durant led the Warriors to win their other two matchups in 2017 and 2018.
James is arguably the best participant of all time. Durant is arguably the best scorer ever.
While the league’s younger stars are taking over (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Doncic), this matchup will pit two of the classic greats against each other. It might be the last time they meet in the postseason. James goes to strive to keep the Lakers alive until help returns. Durant goes to strive to attain the second spherical of the playoffs after lacking the postseason the last two years with the Suns.
It’s The King versus the Scoring Maestro.
Should be thrilling.
The questions
The Rockets have had their share of drama this season. In February, Durant was accused of utilizing a burner account to take photographs at his teammates over X. When questioned about the allegations, Durant told reporters, “I’m not here to get into Twitter nonsense.” It wasn’t a denial, and it led to hypothesis that there was dissension in the locker room.
But over the last month, a lot of that noise quieted. The Rockets have shown self-discipline on protection, and their offense has been working a lot more easily.
As for the Lakers, their main query now is whether or not Doncic and Reaves will return. Players are sometimes sidelined 4 to six weeks with their accidents, and Lakers coach JJ Redick said there’s no timeline for their return. But it helps that the Lakers’ first-round collection is unfold out, with two off days in between Games 1 and 2, as properly as between Games 2 and 3 and Games 4 and 5.
My prediction: Rockets in 5
The Lakers ran over the Rockets in their last two matchups in March, when Doncic was at the height of his scoring explosion. But without Doncic and Reaves, James just doesn’t have enough help to carry the Lakers past the Rockets, who are deeper, larger and more bodily. Now, if Doncic and Reaves return, every little thing adjustments.
But as issues stand, my guess is James goes to show that he’s still a famous person at age 41, shattering all narratives that Father Time has even taken a swing at him over the last twenty years. But finally, Durant and Co. will advance to the second spherical.
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