SERIES REPORT

Early in the third quarter of Game 2 against Houston, the Lakers increased their defensive pressure and turned a tight game into an easy victory to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

After allowing the Rockets to get into their offensive sets in the first half, which featured a heavy dose of Yao Ming, the Lakers switched to a more attacking style and prevented Houston from getting open shots.

By making the Rockets work to advance the ball, the Lakers forced Houston into bad shots to beat the 24-second clock. This tactic also helped open the Laker offense as they turned a two-point halftime deficit into a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Rockets’ move: After Rocket Coach Jeff Van Gundy complained about his team’s 22 turnovers in a one-point loss in Game 1, the Rockets had only 10 on Monday and lost by 14. Houston’s biggest problem has been shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, who has missed 15 of 24 shots in the series. Mobley averaged nearly 16 points on 42.6% shooting during the regular season but has looked out of sync against the Lakers.

If Mobley struggles early on Friday, Van Gundy should not hesitate to play former Clipper Eric Piatkowski, a pure shooter with the ability to stretch the Laker defense. In the series, Houston is five for 22 from behind the three-point line.

By double-teaming Kobe Bryant, the Rockets have done a good job forcing him into difficult shots, which explains why he has made only 13 of 39. But in Game 2, Bryant hurt Houston on the free-throw line, making 16 of 17. It might be a better idea for the Rockets to work harder to keep the ball out of Bryant’s hands because the Lakers have figured out how to beat perimeter double-teams.

Lakers’ move: Defending pick-and-roll plays always will be an issue with the Lakers but they did a much better job Monday. Karl Malone set the pace by aggressively jumping out to trap the ballhandler and make it difficult to pass to a cutting teammate. But even Shaquille O’Neal and Slava Medvedenko were active when the Rockets tried to include them on pick plays.

The key for the Lakers is communication between their perimeter players and guards, who have improved in getting on top of screens. Gary Payton, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox and Bryant have been great in disrupting the Rockets’ offensive flow.

Although he finished with only seven points in Game 2, O’Neal was effective in other areas. His work under the boards, especially boxing out Yao (who had four rebounds Monday after grabbing 11 in Game 1), helped the Lakers outrebound the Rockets, 38-36, in Game 2.

Malone is the consummate team player. Not only did he score 17 points and grab eight rebounds Monday, he also played great defense on the Rockets’ big men from Kelvin Cato to Yao.

Something to watch for: Payton played only 30 minutes in Game 2 and finished with six points. But don’t sleep on him. If the Rockets concentrate too much on denying Bryant the ball and collapsing on O’Neal, look for Payton to step up and have a big game.