While being down 0-1 to an explosive offensive team powered by dynamic guard play is a position the Lakers have been in before these playoffs, heading into game 2 vs. the Rockets feels different than what it did in round 1 vs. the Blazers.
For one, the Lakers played well defensively vs. Portland and simply missed a bunch of shots that, if they continued to get them during the rest of the series, they’d be fine. That was not the case vs. the Rockets, who were quicker to closeout on shooters and are a much better defensive team overall.