
Los Angeles Lakers (0-0) @ Houston Rockets (0-1)
Game Preview
Lakers will open its 2005-06 season against the Houston Rockets. Last season, the Lakers lost the season series 3-1. They lost their first 3 meetings against the Rockets before winning the last one. Both teams will parade new acquisitions. The Rockets welcome back Robert Horry after signing last off-season. He will be joined by talented rookies in Frankie Yan and Andray Blatche.
On the other hand, Lakers will parade almost half of his rosters with new faces led by Rafer Alston and Darko Milicic. This will also marked the return of Coach Phil Jackson on Lakers’ bench.
But this game will still be a battle between 2 superstar guards in Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady, both of them are talented and very athletic players.
Game Recap

Kobe Bryant soars high to lead the Lakers
for their 1s game of the season.
The game started with both Bryant and McGrady making their first shot. The battle between these 2 superstars continued in throughout the quarter. They both led their team with 7 points each. But the difference for the game was the supporting cast with Lakers getting a huge lift from Milicic and Atkins off the bench. The Lakers lead, 23-19 after the 1st period. Lakers finished an 11-2 run they started in the 1st quarter to take 27-19. But after that, Rockets put up great defense and allowed the Lakers to score 8 points in the remaining of the quarter. The Rockets, on the other hand scored 20 points behind McGrady and Padgett and took a 39-35 lead at halftime.
After a low scoring 1st half, both teams somehow find their offensive rhythm and the game shifted into a high scoring and free-flowing offensive battle. New Lakers Alston scored 9 points in this quarter and rookie Santos scored all his 8 points in this quarter. Lakers were able to once again grabbed the lea but McGrady took over for the Rockets scoring 10 points to tie the game after 3 quarters, the score was 68-all. Lakers continued to lead in the final canto but the Rockets don’t allow them to pull away. The Lakers biggest lead in this quarter was 4 point. Bryant made a lay-up to make it a 4 point advantage with 24 seconds left. T-mac answered with a jumpshot. They fouled Bryant and he calmly sank the 2 free-throws to make it 2 possessions ballgame, 97-93. The Rockets were unable to make another basket and the Lakers won their 1st game of the season.
Screenshots from the Game
Chris Mihm was a force inside for the Lakers, grabbing 8 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.
Russel Santos (Micchy_boy) first basket came in 3rd period with this lay-up.
T-Mac gave Bryant a facial with a 2-handed dunk.
Frankie Yan (idiot) used his speed for an easy lay-up.
Key Players At The Half
Lakers Boxscore
Rockets Boxscore
Chris Mihm named Player of the Game.