Lakers vs Rockets: Anthony Davis stars for Los Angeles in Game 4 win, fans ask 'not so easy, is it Houston?'
The Houston Rockets went down for the third time in a row as Anthony David's 29 points and 12 rebounds on Thursday, September 10 saw the Los Angeles Lakers win 110-100 to make it 3-1. With Houston on the brink of elimination, the Harden & Co. will need to figure out a way to bounce back to stay in contention as Game 5 on Saturday comes in as a must-win. At the moment, it was all celebrations at the Lakers camp and fans took digs at their opponents following the win.
"Not so easy is it Houston?" asked one of the fans after the thumping the team received.
Not so easy is it Houston?
— GIANNIS 2 PORTLAND SZN • Temporary Heat Fan (@Whit3_Ch3dda) September 11, 2020
Another wrote, "Rocket fans. We warned y'all after Game 1, don't get too cocky and start running off at the mouth, like Blazer fans did. 'We're better than the Blazers.' 'We're not the Blazers.' Winning Game 1 never solidifies the job. Just like the Blazers, y'all will fall."
Rocket fans. We warned y'all after Game 1, don't get too cocky and start running off at the mouth, like Blazer fans did.
— 2's Are Better Than 3's. (@OTFBRON) September 11, 2020
"We're better than the Blazers." "We're not the Blazers."
Winning Game 1 never solidifies the job. Just like the Blazers, y'all will fall. pic.twitter.com/OBrU6TXaf0
"Where the crickets fans saying rockets in 4 and said small ball will wipe the lakers out," asked one of the fans.
Where the crickets fans saying rockets in 4 and said small ball will wipe the lakers out 🤔
— cj (@YOCJWYA) September 11, 2020
James Harden did garner some flak as well. "Harden 2/11, I don't think there's been a superstar that disappears in big moments like him."
Harden 2/11, I don't think there's been a superstar that disappears in big moments like him.
— Stanley Fu (@fumanstan) September 11, 2020
Some chose to just celebrate the win and looked at this as a team effort. "It was more than AD/LBJ;it was all guys off bench&starters scoring in double digits,following game plan,defense&was point of strategy. It must be more than Lebron&AD;so,Lebron&AD are building up team every game as they go thru these rounds to be ready for Finals. GO LAL.
It was more than AD/LBJ;it was all guys off bench&starters scoring in double digits,following game plan,defense&was point of strategy. It must be more than Lebron&AD;so,Lebron&AD are building up team every game as they go thru these rounds to be ready for Finals. 🤭🗣🤷🏼♂️💜💛GO LAL
— R Sprags (@rsprags) September 11, 2020
The much-discussed micro-ball came under scrutiny as well. "When will Houston realize that this run and gun small ball line up will never win a chip? Y'all should consider a rebuild or a change of personnel and make some big trades." read one of the comments.
When will Houston realize that this run and gun small ball line up will never win a chip? Y'all should consider a rebuild or a change of personnel and make some big trades.
— DeMar DeRoxas (@SwooooshLife) September 11, 2020
The final prediction had already begun, as one fan opined: "Historic season only fitting with most historic rivalry LAKERS V CELTICS!!!"
Historic season only fitting with most historic rivalry LAKERS V CELTICS!!!
— Dave (@supadave216) September 11, 2020
Much of the Lakers' success in Game 4 stemmed from the fact they had a great start and were solid on their defense. Although there was a scare in the end with Harden's free throws bringing the points deficit to five, only for the Lakers to break away with a lead soon after. For Houston, it was a day to forget even as Russell Westbrook led the team in scoring with 25 points. James Harden had 21 to his credit, but it just wasn't enough to pip the Lakers.
Only time will tell how Houston responds to this when the two teams meet on Saturday.