Lakers Will Meet Houston Monday

After beating the Utah Jazz in five games of their first-round series, the Lakers will meet the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the conference semifinals at Staples Center on Monday night. Houston finished off the Portland Trail Blazers in six games and the Lakers are likely breathing a collective sigh of relief, as Portland has defeated the Lakers eight consecutive times in Portland. Houston does have 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming, though, which may cause problems for the Lakers.

The Lakers swept the seasons series from the Rockets, 4-0, and are 5-2 against them over the last two seasons but after practice Pau Gasol told the L.A. Times, “It hasn’t been easy. I wouldn’t say it was easy. I think we match up well and we proved it this year. That still doesn’t guarantee you a free pass or a victory in the games. You’ve still got to go out there and beat them, because they are a very tough team.” Luke Walton suffered a sprained left ankle during Game 4 against the Jazz last Saturday and may be ready to play in Game 1 on Monday.

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