Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – On Friday, Lost Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel defeated the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals at L.A. The P2 point guard was stopped by Rajan Rondo after losing 112-97 to Game 1.
“Rajan is a smart player in the league, and our boys’ IQ increases when he is on the court, so he will definitely help in this series,” Vogel said. Vogel said.
Rondo had 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steels and a block against Houston before the NBA became intercepted due to a coronavirus epidemic in March.
He went out on the lineup after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right toe in early July and then fell off the side again when he suffered a tweak in the back just before Game 4 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Rondo’s output on Friday was in the range of his regular-season average of 1.1 points, five assists and three rebounds, while the Lakers struggled while on the floor.
LA was outscored by 10 points in the 25th minute of Rondo’s play, as he made 3-for-9 off the field and made four turnovers.
The loss, which really got away from the Lakers when Houston started the fourth quarter against LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma, Markiff Morris and Rondo – 3 runs in the fourth quarter, which Vogel never tried on any other issue. This season, LA broke a four-game winning streak.
“It’s a challenge to work with a new player at this stage in the playoffs,” Vogel said. “It’s always something different when you work with someone at this stage.”
Lakers all-star Anthony Davis, who teamed up with Rondo to win the Postseason Series at the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018, also endorsed the 14-year-old veterinarian.
“He’s a great player and a very brainy player, so he knows the game well,” Davis said. “I don’t think it will take him long to get back with the team. He made some shots today, did some good plays for us.
“Game conditioning is difficult and when you haven’t played, and then your first game is in the Western Semis. We’ll stick it back with the team and try to play from there.”
Romando Vogel was the first defender of the bench in Gamedo 1, James had 4:52 left in the first quarter and LA 16-15. It was an ominous start, when Rondo missed a 17-footer and then threw the ball out of bounds on the first two possessions.
When the Rockets rushed to start the fourth quarter, Rondo was 1-for-3 with steals and turnover, before Kuzma was out with 9:07 left.
Rondo did not speak to reporters after the game. However Davis was adamant on how to keep Rondo back is an incentive for the team.
“It’s good for us because it kind of gives Brown a break,” Davis said. “He’s trying to make plays for others, in attack mode. So he gives it to Bron, pauses him with Rondo on the floor, lets Bron be the guy who can catch him and attack. And Rondo is capable. Get into the paint and play in response to it, so it’s beneficial for us to keep it on the floor.
“But he’s just getting him back, being praised on the team, and getting his conditioning back to where it was.”
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