It didn't have to be this way of course. Everything is there for the Rockets on the Lakers' purple and gold court.
When the Jazz only manage a pathetic 70 points in a win-or-go-home game, much of the drama drains out of this LA-Houston matchup before the first tip. The Lakers suddenly seem relaxed — and often oblivious.
In the crucial first half of the fourth quarter when the Rockets see the lead melt away, Lin will be on the bench. Again.
The Rockets zoom by LA in the open court, building a 10-0 advantage in fast break points in the first half. Lin finds Omer Asik and Greg Smith for difficult lobs in traffic. He turns on the jets to beat the entire Lakers team down the court and gets to the rim late in the first half, putting Houston up seven.
But in the crucial first half of the fourth quarter when the Rockets see the lead melt away amid roaring chants of "Defense," Lin will be on the bench. Again.
By the time Lin gets back into the game it's an 81-81 affair. Lin will not do much to help things from there, missing the rest of his shots, several in an initial off-the-bench flurry. At least the first shot right off the bench seems uncharacteristically forced. The Rockets' momentum is long gone by the time Lin returns, but he's made the best of worst situations before this season.
Not this night. Not in LA.
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