Always sad when LeBron misses the opportunity to play against the only true face of the league since Michael Jordan.

When Tari plays like a normal NBA first-round pick,
You get what we saw in the first half.

It's just never easy…

Poot said:

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It's just never easy…

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Big lead…4th quarter…everyone quits trying on defense and then ****s the bed on offense when the other team ramps up defense with a last ditch effort to go all out.

Like clockwork

Sleepwalking is not working

Well, after that corn-laden turd last night, we're locked into the 5 seed (probably were, anyway, given that the Lakers are playing Utah tomorrow, but there would have been at least a sliver of hope of getting the 4 seed) and a combination of Lakers win/Nuggets loss sends Denver to the 4 seed. Not a fan of that potential matchup…

Really would like the Nuggets to hang on here against the Spurs and clinch the 3 seed. Would much prefer a first round matchup against LA than Denver

Well, it's time to see how we will fare in the first round
against the Lakers-LeBron-NBA cabal.

Kind of funny that journeyman bench warmer Aaron Holiday had the same 3 pt FG% (39.4%) and effective FG% (55%) as Reed did this season.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2026.html

Massive step up from unplayable to 2nd string worthy this season for Reed, but he still needs to be a more consistent weapon with his ostensible super power - his shot.

I'm actually ok with Reed's shooting numbers. He may have the same eFG as Holiday, but he also takes 3x more shots. His shooting, passing and ability to create have all been improving steadily and at times he carries us on the offensive end. He is basically our most efficient scorer behind Durant.

For me, the key to Reed's future is his defense. There have been a handful of games this season where he has actually been a positive defender. In those situations, the key difference is his anticipation. Whether it be by playing the passing lanes or just aggressively attacking the ball before the offensive player can leverage their size advantage, when he is mentally sharp he can offset his physical limitations. For him to be successful, he needs to stay mentally engaged on the defensive end at all times. Ideally, as he matures he will develop the mental discipline to be a 30+ minute starter, but as it stands Ime only trusts him for about 15-20 minutes a game.

I'm interested to see how he handles the playoffs. The fact that you face the same team on repeated nights can be an advantage for smarter players that can learn tendencies and identify points of weakness. Reed is only going to survive on the defensive end, if he learns to exploit those areas. This should be a good litmus test of his BBIQ.

Have they said whether Luka or Reaves will be ready to start the series, or at all?

FrioAg 00 said:

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Reaves is expected out the entire first round

Luka returned from Spain today where he was receiving injection therapies and will be reevaluated tomorrow. No news yet.

I think it's pretty unlikely either will play against us

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So LeBron will average 38 FT attempts a game

Just saw the series schedule. Why TF is this **** three months long???

Been doing this for years now. They slow down the schedule so that players are fully rested and we get higher quality basketball

Very much benefits the older players

rausr said:

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Dragging it out hoping the injured lakers can return

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You think they created the NBA playoffs schedule prior to the start of the season in anticipation that the Lakers would have multiple injuries going into the first round?

KD questionable for game 1

Unbelievable


Really

Adam Silver, count your ****ing days.

Durant ruled out for Game 1!

Ouch

Rockets coach Ime Udoka says that Kevin Durant hit the knee “in an awkward spot” above the patella tendon during practice Wednesday. Udoka says imaging showed “nothing major” but that Durant’s knee is “very tender and tough to bend in certain ways.” Not sure how long he’ll be out https://t.co/51BVCdbtZF

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 18, 2026

This doesn't sound great

AG@RICE said:

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Shout out to David Roddy, former Rocket, delivering a double-double to sink the spurs. I always believed in you buddy.

The seeding broke perfectly for us in round 1...I'm interested to see how we **** it up.

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I'm blaming the Astros and their injury contagion.

maca1028 said:

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Rockets coach Ime Udoka says that Kevin Durant hit the knee “in an awkward spot” above the patella tendon during practice Wednesday. Udoka says imaging showed “nothing major” but that Durant’s knee is “very tender and tough to bend in certain ways.” Not sure how long he’ll be out https://t.co/51BVCdbtZF

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 18, 2026

This doesn't sound great

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Durant must have gotten 5 to 1 odds on Lakers winning the series like I did.

Who's thankful for an extended series now?

I thought Ime was supposed to be a defensive coach

All in all, in a pretty good spot considering the Lakers couldn't miss in the first quarter. Took advantage of some of their carelessness with the ball in the last couple of minutes.

Bonfired said:

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All in all, in a pretty good spot considering the Lakers couldn't miss in the first quarter. Took advantage of some of their carelessness with the ball in the last couple of minutes.

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Lakers will continue to shoot lights out if we keep letting slashers get unimpeded access to the lane all game.