Los Angeles Lakers: 3 advantages the Lakers have over Houston

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball while defended by P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 6, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Control of the Paint

Houston has one of the league’s most porous defenses. This season they gave up an average of 115 points per game. Only Portland among the eight Western Conference playoff teams surrendered more.

Part of the reason for their defensive deficiencies is that the Rockets use the shortest lineup in the league. Their tallest starters, Robert Covington and PJ Tucker, stand only 6-7 and 6-5 respectively.

Predictably, opponents controlled the area closest to the basket, averaging 50 points per game in the paint, the most against any playoff team. The Lakers, meanwhile, are second in the NBA in points scored in the paint with nearly 53 per game. Also, it comes as no surprise that Houston ranked just 14th among the 16 playoff teams in rebounds per game.

In the game the teams played in the bubble, Lakers coach Frank Vogel decided to rest both LeBron and JaVale McGee and employed a smaller lineup. Part of the reason was to experiment with different player combinations. But give Vogel credit for planning ahead and revealing nothing in anticipation of a possible playoff match-up.

It is entirely realistic to expect Lakers such as Davis, James, McGee and Dwight Howard to feast inside and dominate the paint against the much shorter Rockets. The Lakers should have a big advantage in second-chance points.

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