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Thu Apr 7, 2005 · 7:30 PM
Houston RocketsRockets
101
away
Chemistry Cold
Los Angeles LakersLakers
109
home
Chemistry Steady

Box Score

TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
Houston RocketsRockets 18 28 32 23 101
Los Angeles LakersLakers 24 29 26 30 109

After Action Report

The Lakers outlasted the Rockets 109-101. Every possession went the Lakers way. Lakers' defenders refused to give up clean looks; the Rockets owned the glass, generating extra possessions. The Lakers locker room is humming, and it showed. Early returns: the Lakers per-player utilization choices fit the identity tonight.

What tipped it

  • Lakers · Tight-Knit Locker-room chemistry is humming — extra trust on every possession.
  • Rockets · Glass Eaters Crashing the boards generates extra possessions and second-chance buckets.
  • Rockets · Ice Cold On a 4+ game losing streak — shots aren't falling.
  • Rockets · Locker-Room Rift Tension in the locker room — poor ball movement and streaky play.