Houston, We’ve Got A Problem…

Tonight, prior to the game between the visiting Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, Trevor Ariza finally got his championship ring, delivered to center court by co-captains, Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. Ariza, carrying his son in his arms, graciously accepted his championship hardware and acknowledged the appreciative crowd. My only wish would have been for him to still be donning the purple and gold tonight instead of those foreign colors of red and white. Houston went on to help Ariza celebrate with a 101-91 victory over the Lakers.

The Lakers sprinted out of the gates with 16-2 advantage that included two blocked shots by Andrew Bynum (21 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocked shots), six Houston turnovers, and Ron Artest (22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals), accounting for 8 of those points. Shane Battier exited shortly thereafter, picking up two quick fouls trying to stay with Kobe Bryant (18 points on 5-20, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 3 steals, 4 turnovers). That was about the extent of the Lakers highlights. Ariza (9 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocked shots), then made his first mark on the game, first by blocking Kobe’s shot in the corner, then stealing it from him, and finished the theft by scoring at the opposite end. Houston then went on an 11-2 run to pull within 18-13 after Aaron Brooks (33 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), splashed a three-pointer from the corner. Houston played through some rough spots in the early going, and as was evident in the past, was able to come back time and time again.

Houston gave the Lakers fits with their suffocating defense and with Brooks unleashing on his career night. Toss in an unexpected, career high 19-points from back-up Aussie, David Andersen and the Lakers woes continued to mount as they launched away from distance trying in vain to find the target. The Rockets took the lead away from the Lakers in the 3rd period and never looked back with Brooks knocking down everything he threw up from long distance. He managed a four-point play after a Fisher foul on his three-pointer, hit another elbow trey, and splashed a 27-footer well behind the arc establishing his new career high by the end of three quarters. As a result, Houston led, 80-73.

The Lakers obliged the undersized Rockets and continued to shoot from distance instead of playing to their strengths. Houston took advantage and extended their lead as Jordan Farmar had difficulty distributing the ball and Sasha Vujacic forced up jump shots rather than initiating the offense. Bynum finally got the ball down low and he produced but Houston continued to outhustle the Lakers and managed three attempts on one possession that eventually resulted in a three-point play by diminutive Kyle Lowry. The Rockets answered each time the Lakers got close and maintained their double-digit advantage. Every loose ball was chased down by the men in red as the lackluster Lakers plodded along in their malaise. Houston commanded a 60-38 rebound advantage that resulted in the Lakers first 2-game losing streak of the season.

Kobe is listed as day-to-day with an aggravated groin strain that he sustained against New Orleans last Sunday. And Pau Gasol’s status to return to action is still up in the air. The Lakers will need to regroup and refocus on defense, rebounding and distributing the ball. And they have until Tuesday to do so, when the problematic Detroit Pistons are in town for their annual visit.