After their blowoutvictory in Game 4of their first-round playoff series against theLakersthe Rockets confidence was sky-high.
According to several Lakers players, they were talking trash a lot during and after the game, despite trailing 3-1 in the series overall.
On Tuesday morning after their practice session in Los Angeles, the Rockets players continued to take shots at their opponent.
“I’m ready,” said Rockets’ center Alperen Sengun when asked about the expected physicality in Game 5. “I know they’re going to hit, but we’re hitting them too. We’re younger and we heal faster than them probably. We’re just going to hit each other and we’ll see at the end of the day what’s going on.”
Sengun might have a point. The Lakers aren’t just older, they are one of theoldest rosters still playing in the postseason. They have an average age of 29.8 years old, fourth in the league, anchored by 41-year-oldLeBron James.
Alperen was asked if he expects the Lakers to be more physical in game 5.“Im ready I know there going to hit were hitting them too were younger we heal faster than them probably were just going to hit each other.”pic.twitter.com/71H58EHO3Y
Their starting five this series? 31.4 years on average, easily the oldest starting five in the playoffs.
On the other side, the Rockets carry an average age of 26.3, but their starting unit this series, without Kevin Durant, sits at a staggering 22.6 years old, the youngest starting five in the playoffs. That starting unit has punished the Lakers to the tune of +18 when sharing the floor.
If Sengun’s comments weren’t enough to provide bulletin board material for the Lakers, then Jabari Smith Jr. dialed up the volume.
#RocketsJabari Smith Jr. on what Kevin Durant’s message to the team has been during game 4 & in the days since, “stay with it, be us, be aggressive, play free.”Smith added, “we’re obviously the better team I feel like.” & when asked why he feels that way said,” I just feel like…pic.twitter.com/Y1yyCeq9Wu
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
