2009 NBA Playoffs: Game 1 - Houston Rockets 100 Los Angeles Lakers 92 (Highlights)

Game 1: Houston Rockets 100 Los Angeles Lakers 92

Analysis: From the looks of the boxscore, you might wonder how the Rockets won this game, but it looks like they won it at the line. They went to the line 10 more times than the Lakers and knocked down 13 more free throws. Other than that, the Lakers outrebounded the Rockets 39-35, including 12-6 on the offensive boards, and turned the ball over less. I think the Lakers will be fine, they just weren't hitting shots in this game. They had good looks but they weren't going down. Odom didn't play poorly, but he took only 8 shots, so he might want to be a little more aggressive in Game 2. Pau did not have his best night and needs to step it up. I felt like this was a game where everything went right for the Rockets and almost everything went wrong for the Lakers, so I'm not convinced the Rockets will be able to repeat this performance.

Key Players of The Game

Ron Artest: Artest had a great night on both ends of the floor. He played solid D on Kobe and shot 8 of 15 from the floor to finish with 21 points. The question is whether or not he can continue to shoot such a high percentage from the floor in this series.

Yao Ming: 28 points and 10 rebounds is exactly the kind of night the Rockets need from Yao in every game of this series.

Aaron Brooks: I keep doubting this guy, but he keeps coming up with big games for the Rockets. Without his 19 points on 7 of 14 shooting, I don't think the Rockets win this game. He's probably the x-factor for the Rockets. When he plays well, they have a chance to win, but when he doesn't their offense struggles.

Kobe Bryant: Kobe was solid enough in this game for the Lakers to win, but nobody else really stepped it up for the Lakers. Kobe finished with 32 points on 14 of 32 shooting, with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He also went to the line only 5 times, so look for Kobe to attack the basket more in Game 2.

Pau Gasol: Pau is usually efficient from the floor, but he shot just 6 of 14 in this game. He finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. A solid performance, but the Lakers needed a little more out of him in this one.

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