Lakers Pull Out Win over Rockets in Game 4

[Ruff Ryder]

The Lakers pulled out a game 4 win in OT, 92-88. They lost a 10 point lead and Houston tied it up, managing to take the game to OT, where Mobley started off great, but Malone cut the lead to 2 with a three point play, then Kobe took over. Francis turned into his normal self turning the ball over in clutch situations. He had 5 TO's in the game.

Malone was a monster, with 20 points and 8 rebs in the first half. He finished with 30 points 13 rebs and 3 steals. Kobe had a tough shooting game ,7-21, but had 6 rebs and 5 asts. Shaq had 17 points and 12 rebs.

GO MALONE! First 40 year old to score 20 pts in one half and 30 in a game.

[The Game]

lakers win! whooo!! Malone finishing with 30 points and 13 rebounds... what's his age again?

[RedTorro]

Series is over, all Houston can do now is drag it out to tire out the Lakers for the next round. As far as Malone....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basket ... izards_ap/

Also...

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_j ... stats.html

[magius]

yup. this game was all malone. see what he can do? give him and payton more shots phil!!!!! spread the wealth

[bishibashiboy]

That was a good game. The Lakers almost blew it by being outscored 22-12 in the 4th quarter.
Malone was crazy and easily the best player in the game today. Payton finally played in the 4th and OT!

[Amphatoast]

I wonder how many mailmans in LA are going to be wearing a torn shirt

this game could of just about wrap it up. Houston was sooooooo close to winning and could of easily had a 3-1 lead in this series. They are right there but just need that extra push to get'em over the Lakers. Little plays like Kobe stealing and taking it all the way is what is winning this series for the Lakers. If the Lakers do advance, the Spurs are going to give them some real trouble.

[GloveGuy]

GO MALONE! First 40 year old to score 20 pts in one half and 30 in a game.

In a playoff game...

[.]

Did you guys see Malone´s jersey that was ripped off by Bostjan Nachbar after he landed on top of him after that dunk , he refuzed to replace the jersey because he likes to play rough, and ripping jerseys is part of that roughness .

I must admit that J. Jackson played one heck of a game with 20 boards and making alot of shots in the first half. Also, once again great defense being played on Kobe, giving him the double teams when he got the ball on a dangerous spot, also Gumby jumped out of his seat when they wernt double teaming him in the late 4th quarter lol. I also noticed that Kobe waited for the double teams to come later in the game when he got the ball so that he could pass it off to a open teammate.

Cool game in summery, and cant wait next game when the Lakers send them back home

[Matt]

at least this was another close game....can't be said for the Celts, Grizz or Knicks

[Andrew]

It's a shame the Rockets couldn't take another, but what a game for Karl Malone. Jim Jackson's rebounds total is insane. As we dsaid a couple months ago, he's really resurrected his career in Houston. They made a wise move signing him to a multiyear deal this past offseason.

Anyway, I expect the Lakers will finish off the Rockets in Game 5, but the Rockets deserve a lot of credit for the way they've played. Not only have they avoided the sweep, they've lost two games by less than 5 points and forced an overtime after trailing by 10 against one of the league's best teams.

Also give the Lakers credit, too. They've overcome injuries, feuds and frustration and are in position to advance to the second round. It's interesting that a different member of their Big Four has stepped up to make a big play or lead the way in each of their three wins; Shaq with the game winner in Game 1, Kobe with 36 in Game 2, and Malone with 30 and 13 in Game 4.

[Fresh8]

Didn't Abdul-Jabbar score 32 in a playoff game for LA when He was 40??? Or is this in the regular season?

Oh and to Andrew- wat about Payton with 30, 10 and 10 in Game 5 plus the buzzer=beater!

[RedTorro]

I wonder how many mailmans in LA are going to be wearing a torn shirt

this game could of just about wrap it up. Houston was sooooooo close to winning and could of easily had a 3-1 lead in this series. They are right there but just need that extra push to get'em over the Lakers. Little plays like Kobe stealing and taking it all the way is what is winning this series for the Lakers. If the Lakers do advance, the Spurs are going to give them some real trouble.

Little plays like those are what seperate good players from great clutch players. A "little play" like stealing the ball from Karl Malone in game 6 of the 98 finals got MJ another ring. So in other words it always usually comes down to "little" plays that make a big difference.

[Amphatoast]

at least this was another close game....can't be said for the Celts, Grizz or Knicks

hey hey hey, give the Knicks some props, they were close and actually had a 6point lead with about 6min remaining in the game...Marbury just made a couple of bad decisions on his shot that cost them.

[Jackal]

My thoughts on last nights game:

Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone, Deavan George, Kobe Bryant & Gary Payton. What a beautiful team this looks like eh? You would expect superb play.

The team I saw last night was anything compared to beautiful. I thought that by playoff time they would get their act together. The injuries and offcourt issues could be used as an argument as to why they aren't playing the way people expect them to play, but seriously...it's the playoffs. Get into the groove folks.

Shaquille O'Neal: How about making some free-throws? How do you go from 62% to 40's or something? Seriously, consitancy at the line wouldnt do much harm O'Neal.

Karl Malone: How old is this guy again? Seriously, this was a beauty. Did you guys see him run down the court? From end to end in blistering speed.

Oh, Nachbar...I wouldnt want to piss off the Mailman.

George: Meh, what can I say, I hardly saw the guy play.

Payton: What were those 5 shots to start off the game? A little more control Payton, it's nice of you to drive cuz that's what the Lakers need, but keep in control.

Kobe: Pretty quiet. But seriously, there were times he frustrated me. I've said before that Bryant is out for the glory..I think last night's game was proof of that. Anyone who has watched the game, and is unbiased towards Kobe, will agree with the following:

What the fuck was he thinking? They were up by quiet a few points and suddenly Kobe feels the urge to go pull a Michael Jordan & take over the game? Ok, it's worked in the past numerous times, but you're up!! Why try spoiling that with the shenanigans? That one play which looked awesome, I wont say it didnt, where he drives in, seems to hang in the air, bats away a hand, and lays it off the glass. Nice play...but there were other options. I'm not the only one to see that one, Coach Jackson seemed to agree if you all caught him screaming his head off at Bryant before commercial break.

Kobe is and always will be a fame seeker. Last night's game was proof.

Now many will argue that because of his steal that's what sealed the game. No, he screwed up and thats what let the Rockets back in. (Not taking away any credit from the Rockets who played a superb defensive & offensive game.)

There were many instances that because of Kobe's mistakes, the game slipped.

That being said, I hope he can level himself for the next game, unless he has to miss game five due to his court hearing.

On a last note, I love Bryant, just seeing Bryant & O'Neal on the team, wearing the Laker jersey's it's awesome. I hope Bryant is around for next season, but I wont be crying my eyes out if he's not.

If the Lakers are to win the championship this year, it will rest upon the shoulders of the Big Four. If they can manage to do whatever it is they do best, without clashing with eachothers game, they have good chances of winning it all.

[Robby]

Little plays like those are what seperate good players from great clutch players. A "little play" like stealing the ball from Karl Malone in game 6 of the 98 finals got MJ another ring. So in other words it always usually comes down to "little" plays that make a big difference.

No that would be a huge play. Little plays from that game were the two bogus shot clock violations, especially the one by Harper that was counted good with under three minutes left.

[RedTorro]

Little plays like those are what seperate good players from great clutch players. A "little play" like stealing the ball from Karl Malone in game 6 of the 98 finals got MJ another ring. So in other words it always usually comes down to "little" plays that make a big difference.

No that would be a huge play. Little plays from that game were the two bogus shot clock violations, especially the one by Harper that was counted good with under three minutes left.

Did you notice the suttle quotes around "little play"?

[Hannibal]

I was disgusted at the way Malone fouled Nachbar. He obviously stuck out his butt so Nachbar would fall in an awkward way. He did it intentionally. He's really one of the dirtiest players in the game.

It was only right that Nachbar came at him with a vengeance and blocked his lay-up. Malone got pissed off after that. What's the matter Karl? Doesn't a nobody like Nachbar have a right to block your shot?

By the way, I think it was Steve Francis who ripped Karl Malone's jersey, not Nachbar.

[idiot]

and remember him elbowing Yao's back in game3?

[kevC]

I love Nachbar

[Robby]

I was disgusted at the way Malone fouled Nachbar. He obviously stuck out his butt so Nachbar would fall in an awkward way. He did it intentionally. He's really one of the dirtiest players in the game.

It was only right that Nachbar came at him with a vengeance and blocked his lay-up. Malone got pissed off after that. What's the matter Karl? Doesn't a nobody like Nachbar have a right to block your shot?

By the way, I think it was Steve Francis who ripped Karl Malone's jersey, not Nachbar.

Boy, Francis sure looks different while tearing Malone's jeresey. Your whole post now looks pathetic.

[Micchy_boy]

I was disgusted at the way Malone fouled Nachbar. He obviously stuck out his butt so Nachbar would fall in an awkward way. He did it intentionally. He's really one of the dirtiest players in the game.

It was only right that Nachbar came at him with a vengeance and blocked his lay-up. Malone got pissed off after that. What's the matter Karl? Doesn't a nobody like Nachbar have a right to block your shot?

By the way, I think it was Steve Francis who ripped Karl Malone's jersey, not Nachbar.

if you just watch the incident plus a lot of replay of that incident malone was out of balance and at that moment he was in the wrong place at wrong time. it was a mere accident and he didn't intentionally to do that. also the block shot and foul of nachbar was clean but malone was got made coz he thought nachbar want to make a revenge.

[Fresh8]

Kobe shot the ball when he saw three hoops

[Hannibal]

Boy, Francis sure looks different while tearing Malone's jeresey. Your whole post now looks pathetic.

I believe "I think" are the words I used in my post. From the camera angle on TV, it looked like Francis grabbed Malone after he INTENTIONALLY stuck out his butt on Nachbar. THINKING is diferent from KNOWING. I posted what I saw, it turns out I was wrong.

Read my whole post first before posting anything stupid. Now, who's post looks more pathetic?

[Andrew]

The rules about insulting each other's posts and calling them pathetic is pretty clear: Don't. By all means post your opinion, but do so without insulting each other. It only leads to bickering. Thank you.

Oh and to Andrew- wat about Payton with 30, 10 and 10 in Game 5 plus the buzzer=beater!

It would certainly be appropriate if the Glove was The Man for the Lakers in Game 5, but the way Phil's been sitting him, it probably isn't too likely. Yes, I know - another bold prediction that will be proven wrong very shortly.

[Micchy_boy]

nachbar was the first to tear malone jersey when he was falling down but francis also pull malone jersey in the last few second when malone rebound the ball and was foul (he made 1 out of 2 ft for his 30th point of the game and the fianl point of the game)