ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/29/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 5)

It was easier dealing with this version of Reeve than constantly chasing Kennard. Plus Smart took a step back

Teeves coming back early might be been a good thing for the rockets because with cause the rest of the lakers to drop their aggressiveness and fall back

 

Reed was a beast, those quick hands are very Stockton like. Tari, Amen and Reed were all over them like cheap suits.
Did not care for Sengun's whiny attitude and trying to get fouls called again.
I do appreciate the young guys showing resilience. Forcing a Game 7 is now a must and winning it would be kind of cool, just to be in the history books. Definitely do not want KD on the court anymore.

 

Watching the replay now and it is so clear that friendship ball is back.

Not really sure how the snake fits into this tbh

 

CRAP lol

 

Big Perk is his name. And he’s smarter than most popular loudmouth idiots that never played including Bill Simmons

 

I’m staying my ass at home

 

accidentally fell asleep in the 3rd quarter and missed the whole rest of the game, but I could do that because I didn’t doubt that I’d be waking up this morning to a win

like I’ve been saying, we’re booking hotel stays in LA for game 5 and game 7

 

Surprised the Lakers doubled him early in the 3Q. They got burned. Sengun definitely needs to establish his inside game.

 

Really enjoying watching this starting 5 coming together. This was the most balanced and interconnected game that the Rockets have played in a while.

Finally seeing some defensive tactics being deployed and everyone backing each other up: Sengun dropping down to support Reed and getting some steals/blocks when the Lakers try to force the mismatch. Jabari providing weak side support and rim protection against the pick and roll. When everyone is switching and covering for each other, it makes it harder to locate and box out. So I don’t blame Sengun entirely for Ayton’s offensive boards.

It’s clear that Sengun and Reed drive their half court offense. No one else on the team can create consistently for others. That Reed only played 10 minutes is Game 2 cost the Rockets that game. Reed is the only player generating corner 3s for this team (too bad he can’t kick it out to himself!). Amen needs to figure out how to play off Reed better, positive sign that he took and made two corner 3s with confidence.

Looks like this starting 5 are all finding out their fit and role within the lineup. Hope they continue building off that because they are all still super young.

 

IIRC, Detlef got traded TO Seattle for Derrick McKey. Loaded team got even better, trading a role player for an all star.. Then they added semi-stars like Hersey Hawkins and Kendall Gill and just got deeper. Scary team.

 

Still remember that series in 2013, hope they can get over the hump this time.

 

Rockets weathering the storm of Marcus Smart being Steph curry in stretched and Ayton severely outplaying Sengun.

They can finish this series if Reed and Jabari keep playing well. At this point I just need Sengun to at worst tie his matchup with Ayton.

Sengun needs to box out. I watch a game like last night and completely imagine how much of a difference it would be if Adams was playing.

 

The Rockets did a good job of sharing the ball. We were still too plodding at times, going half-speed in multiple pick-and-roll opportunities or high post setups. But at least they were looking for a few back cuts that led to a few easier shots.

I'd still like to see Amen turn it on and overwhelm Austin Reaves or Kennard. If he can get his teammates to give him space (like don't fill the right wing or the corner when Amen has a favorable matchup), there is no way either of those guys can stop Amen's dominant hand. He should be kissing the ball off the top of the square against those guys, especially if they try and slide over in transition.

Amen should take an angle that draws contact and avoid slithering around these slower defenders. Protect your dribble and earn your trips to the line.

 

I’m glad someone caught it too. I was like - damn LeBron loves to talk disrespect and does that… then the next play Reed makes the bucket I was like, boy didn’t like the shoulder shove

 

it's kind of funny because the blueprint to beating KD Warriors was to get them to force KD iso ball. We should have known better than anyone else the limitations..

 

Lebron loves playing the media and the refs. He tried to get a flagrant called on Sengun when Al-p accidentally hit his face. He just stayed down for a while hoping they would go review the play and the refs just stood there like idiots confused not knowing what to do (should have been a ****ing delay of game!!). I saw the shove on Reed when it happened, and it should of been a technical on James, but of course we don't treat the king like this.

 

No, we're currently riding on chemistry from the young core. They're growing up together and don't need Dad anymore.