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Fri Jan 7, 2005 · 8:30 PM
Houston RocketsRockets
104
away
Chemistry Tense
Los Angeles LakersLakers
109
home
Chemistry Cold

Box Score

TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
Houston RocketsRockets 28 27 26 23 104
Los Angeles LakersLakers 26 23 32 28 109

After Action Report

In a track meet, the Lakers survived the Rockets 109-104. Ugly basketball, but the Lakers did just enough. Lakers' defenders refused to give up clean looks; second-chance points piled up for the Rockets. The Rockets looked disjointed — chemistry issues linger. The Rockets rotation plan worked against them — wrong guys, wrong night. Survive-and-advance type win.

What tipped it

  • Rockets · Glass Eaters Crashing the boards generates extra possessions and second-chance buckets.
  • Rockets · Locker-Room Rift Tension in the locker room — poor ball movement and streaky play.