Previous Lakers-Rockets matchups are difficult but not impossible to learn from

Go all the way back to the Christmas Day matchup between the Lakers and Rockets and you’ll see a dominant performance from Steven Adams on the offensive glass en route to a controlling Rockets victory.Rewatch the Lakers’ pair of wins over the Rockets in Houston from just a month ago and you’ll witness back-to-back brilliant offensive showings from Luka Doncic, in addition to important supporting moments on both ends of the floor from Austin Reaves.This is why the regular-season matchups between the Lakers and Rockets, which the Lakers won 2-1, are difficult — but not impossible — to learn from entering the first-round playoff series.The Lakers saw different versions of the Rockets each time they played: But each version of the Lakers that the Rockets played against featured Doncic, Reaves and LeBron James in the starting lineup — which won’t be the case Saturday.Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Reaves (left oblique strain) are out “indefinitely” after suffering their regular-season-ending injuries April 2. So, the ball-screen-heavy offense led by Doncic and Reaves that the Rockets had to battle against in the three regular-season matchups?It’s been replaced by an offense that’s more reliant on off-ball screens to create advantages.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The combined 47.4 points and 11.7 assists Doncic and Reaves combined to average in the three games against the Rockets, including 52.5 points and 13.5 assists in the games Reaves finished after leaving midway through the Dec.

25 matchup because of a calf injury, have been distributed throughout the roster. “We’re going to lean on everybody; it’s going to be balanced,” Marcus Smart said.“We’re going to lean on [Deandre Ayton] a lot, we’re going to LeBr...