Los Angeles Lakers: 3 things to watch for vs Houston Rockets

2. The Lakers had better figure out the “I will defend tonight!” creed and quick!

The Blazers scored 91 points in the backcourt against the Lakers and Lillard and McCollum had an off night. The Rockets have one of the most devastating scoring guards in the NBA in Chris Paul and James Harden playing in one of the most disciplined offensive systems in the NBA under Mike D’Antoni.

I heard over and over again about how well the Lakers scored. Umm, they’ll score against the Rockets too because all they want to do is run and speed you up to make mistakes. When that happens, the Rockets run you out of the gym. Bottom line the Lakers were awful on defense.

Mike D’Antoni’s system is very simple, they are going to shoot 3-point shots. About 50 of them. That is not an exaggeration, I am being totally serious. Look for it. That will open up the pick and roll with the guards and Clint Capela. One of the centers that will give the Lakers fits with this small ball scheme.

The Lakers are going to have to compete on the defensive end. JaVale McGee is going to have his hands full enough dealing with an athletic center like Capela not having to deal with constant guard penetration like this…

While we are talking about defense, let’s discuss the second unit, more notably Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson. These two guys are going to have to do a better job on the defensive end. No check that, they are going to have to START the job on the defensive end.

Remember Thursday night…

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1053153081473490944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1053153081473490944&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2F2018%2F10%2F19%2Flos-angeles-lakers-4-takeaways-loss-trail-blazers%2F

Read the caption…Portland may have found it’s next great shooter in Nik Stauskas! Up until Thursday, Charles Barkley probably would not know “Who he play for” if he was on the screen on Inside the NBA a couple of nights ago. Bottom line, the Lakers could not stop him.

Remember Mason Plumlee and how he dominated the Lakers in the preseason…

The Lakers could not stop him. Now the Lakers will deal with Carmelo Anthony coming off the bench tonight after being totally embarrassed in his first game as a Rocket. He is a pure scorer and is more skilled than these guys.

If the second unit does not bring any defensive intensity…Anthony could explode. I’ve seen him when he thinks he has something to prove and believe me he does. The media dogged him after his first performance.