Rockets Can Use Some Brainpower

Even Laker fans have to admit that the Houston Rockets could very easily be ahead 3-1 instead of down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 5 Wednesday at Staples Center.

That they’re not is an indicator of the Rockets’ inability to make efficient plays down the stretch. Too many turnovers and bad decisions have cost them, which is why Houston is one defeat away from summer vacation.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy has made a couple of good adjustments in the series, but he has to get his players to understand that playing smart is the difference between winning and losing this time of year. Flashy plays are great when it comes to exciting the crowd, but moves that work on the playground do not win playoff games.

Rockets’ move: After four games against the Lakers, guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley should know that they need to play aggressive at all times. They cannot drive to the basket enough against the Lakers’ slow-moving interior defense.

Sure, Shaquille O’Neal and even Karl Malone may block their shots a few times, but penetration leads to fouls and O’Neal has a tendency to pick them up in bunches. Houston’s offense opens up when O’Neal is on the bench, and the best way to put him there is to get him in foul trouble.

Forward Jim Jackson had a strong Game 4 with 16 points and 20 rebounds, but he also hurt the Rockets with four turnovers and one-for-seven shooting from behind the three-point line. Jackson was five for six inside the arc on Sunday, and he has to remember that he can score in other ways.

In Game 4, the Rockets played tighter man-to-man defense in the fourth quarter and the Lakers made only six of 22 shots. Houston has to play that way from the start on Wednesday and force the Lakers into shots they do not want to take. The Rockets have to make Kobe Bryant work hard to get the ball and double-team him with more intensity.

Lakers’ move: Coach Phil Jackson’s decision to start Devean George over Rick Fox in Game 4 may not have made headlines, but it helped the offense, especially in the third quarter. Jackson’s version of the triangle works best when all five players can score and George’s eight points in the third quarter helped the Lakers open up a big lead.

George should continue to look for his shot but must allow the game come to him. When he has his feet set and is ready to shoot, George can knock down shots -- but he has to be in the flow of the offense.

That’s not the case with point guard Gary Payton, who had his best game of the series with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists on Sunday. Payton has to assert himself to get involved. The Lakers can’t afford for him to take a backseat role on Wednesday.

Something to look for: The Rockets have to take advantage of their younger legs against the veteran Lakers. Van Gundy has used pressure defense at times, but don’t be shocked to see the Rockets open up their playbook and defend the Lakers the length of the court in Game 5.

The Lakers love to turn to Bryant when opponents turn up the defensive heat. But that only adds to the wear on Bryant’s legs. If Houston can tire out Payton and Bryant, that will only help the Rockets if it is another close game.