LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Houston Rockets overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night with their speed in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, so now it’s time to see if the Lakers will attempt to speed up and perhaps go to a small-ball lineup themselves.
Lakers big man JaVale McGee got the usual start at center, but only played 12 minutes in the Rockets’ dominant 112-97 victory. And backup center Dwight Howard registered only 11 minutes, meaning a true center accounted for playing less than half the game.