Rockets vs. Lakers

In a surprising turn of events, I've actually watched both games of the Rockets-Lakers series in their entirety and I'm totally into it. It's a competitive series with interesting matchups and strategical elements. Plus, I'm really starting to take a shine to Houston and despise LA.Although the Rockets lost by double digits in Game 2, their fans will have to be happy with their performance. Not so much because of anything in the moral victory realm, but more because of what it says about their team. Their performance showed that they're a tough team -- mentally and physically. I'm not talking about all the fisticuffs and handbags. I'm talking about staying in that game. After a road team takes Game 1 in an NBA series, nine times out of ten they roll over in Game 2 and go home satisfied with the split. See: Magic, Orlando. Houston had every opportunity to pack it in on Wednesday night. LA came out firing on all cylinders, shooting something like...