The L. A. Lakers could not stop the streak. The Houston Rockets won their twenty second consecutive game with a 104 - 92 victory over the Lakers.

The Lakers were without Pau Gasol because of a strained ankle but the Rockets were playing without Yao Ming. The game was won away from the basket. The major difference was three point shooting. The Rockets made 12 of 26 three point shots. That’s a forty six per cent efficiency. The Lakers were shooting forty one per cent, inside the three point line. The Lakers’ problem with perimeter defense and containing point guards was exposed again. Rafer Alston had a career high of thirty one points.

The Rockets are approaching rarified air. They are approaching the longest winning streak in NBA history. The Rockets now hold the second longest winning streak. To break the record, the Rockets need to top the thirty three games the Lakers accomplished in the 1971-1972 season. The next team to try to end the Rockets streak will be the Boston Celtics.

There are two contrary views of this winning streak. Some people see this streak as providing momentum for the Rockets in the post season. The opposing viewpoint is that the Rockets are peaking too early and that this streak will take a toll on the team in the post season. The one certainty is that teams will not be taking the Rockets lightly. And, as the streak continues, the Rockets are going to see teams wanting to deliver a message for the post season.

The Rockets are playing terrific team basketball. It’s going to fun to watch.

Catherine Forsythe

[tag]nba, winning streak, houston rockets, l.a. lakers, history[/tag]