Houston Rockets Smack Down Los Angeles Lakers 108-90

The bright lights glimmered and the bigger stage at the STAPLES Center was raring to go as the Houston Rockets began their journey in pursuit of a NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers last night.

Nonetheless, the men in red are back and it’s time to rally behind them as they are our only hope as far as exponential success this season.

The Houston Texans? It’s game-by-game. The Houston Astros? We may have to wait a little longer.

The time is now for the Rockets to demonstrate to the league why they have the necessary tools to be an NBA powerhouse.

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

It certainly showed last night against a Lakers’ team that is obviously attempting to find some sort of an identity that doesn’t even closely resemble the days of the “Lake Show” or “Showtime” during the franchise’s peak.

The story of Kobe Bryant‘s return to the basketball court was the prevailing headline for this match up.

The Rockets changed that up real quick…

Anyway, the Rockets took control of the game early and only trailed for 21 seconds throughout the duration when Wesley Johnson hit a three-pointer putting the Lakers up 3-2.

Yep, that’s it — after that, the rest was history.

The team was piping hot from the three-point line and it was tool that was used heavily out their arsenal to ultimately prevail. The team shot 12-for-29 from behind the arc for 41 percent.

The team continued to trade buckets early in until mid-way through the 1st quarter when James Harden and Patrick Beverley were able to pick up quite a few points off free throws when sent to the line. At one point the team lead as much as by 10 points.

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward

Ed Davis

(21) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Terry was then summoned off the bench and hit two confidence-killing three-pointers toward the end of the quarter busting the Rockets lead wide-open leading 31-19 at the end of the 1st quarter.

The 2nd quarter was more of the same as the Rockets push their lead up higher to as much as 17 points toward the end of the first half. Rockets 62, Lakers 45

The Lakers’ Ronnie Price did cut their deficit to single digits — nine points — with about five minutes in the third after a few quick fouls and missed shots. But Terry, Trevor Ariza, Tarik Black and Harden all teamed up to push their lead back to 16 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Too much firepower for the Lakers to overcome.

By the time the 4th quarter had come around, one could see the void of empty seats as a result of the Lakers ineptitude in figuring out how to stop the Rockets.

They probably got tired of Jeremy Lin‘s horrible shooting and erratic play at the point. I would too — he does a lot of things well but when things aren’t going good he is just plain bad.

The highlight of the 4th quarter was a heated exchange with 7:07 left in the game stemmed from Bryant’s frustration of how his team was getting pummeled exacerbated with a few flying elbows from Howard.

The two still have some bad blood between each other for obvious reasons and Howard so much as said that he didn’t leave the Lakers because he was afraid of Bryant.

Both were charged with technical fouls — Howard was indicted with a Flagrant Level 1 foul — went their separate ways and the jawing and sneering from each bench continued well into the ensuing timeout that was called by the Lakers.

And that was pretty much it.

Beatdown In Tinseltown: Houston Rockets Smack Los Angeles Lakers 108-90

By Brian K. Patterson | Oct 29, 2014