Lakers / Rockets Game 2

My Thoughts:

1. This is the best Kobe play-off performance I have seen in the last two years. He may have had other, statistically better games, but this was him at his lethal best. How many times can he do it, in this series and in the play-offs?

2. When did Ron-Ron turn into Ray Allen?!?

3. Fisher's shoulder-charge on Scola was a cheap shot. Moving picks are a serious problem in the NBA, and Scola's sometimes very questionable picks obviously got Fisher's blood boiling. But there is no excuse for that shot.

4. I don't think Artest was going to hit Kobe, but was merely trying to intimidate him. Unfortunately for Artest, he intimidated the refs and they tossed him. After the Fisher incident, they weren't going to wait for another. Also, Artest did initiate contact with Kobe. In a vacuum, that wouldn't get you ejected. But Artest has started fights with fans. He has a well earned reputation for crazy.

5. I think Artest's actions showed Kobe that he's in his head. I expect Kobe to try to push Artest further, as Artest is the linch pin of his team.

6. Fisher wasn't ejected but I think he won't play in game 3. Artest was ejected, but he'll be back in game 3. And I do think the Lakers may be better off without Fisher.

7. Gasol gave Yao fits, getting him in foul trouble and out of the game. If this continues, the series is over.

8. This series is probably going seven games, and I don't know anymore who is going to win it...