Very few in the media, save for the ones who run this blog and my pal Sean Highkin, were still comfortable speaking about the impending arrival of #PlayoffRondo. On Sunday, the legend added another chapter to a story that has wreaked havoc in the NBA Playoffs for over a decade.
Rondo was excellent in his 29 minutes last night, scoring 10 points, nine assists, as well as team-highs in steals (5) and plus-minutes (+28). Rondo getting in the passing lanes was key, but the Rockets were turnover happy in Game 1 and the Lakers failed to take advantage. Enter more Rondo and a more efficient transition offense to better take advantage of the Rockets mistakes.
According to Synergy Sports, the Lakers actually had more (25) transition opportunities in Game 1 than they did in Game 2 (21). But the jump in efficiency, with Rondo often leading the way and allowing LeBron James to fill the lanes like a freight train instead of having to be the decision-maker for every fast break, was massive.
The Lakers scored over 1.23 points per possession on transition opportunities in Game 2, which would be by far the best mark in the playoffs. In Game 1, they posted a measly 0.96 points per possession and throughout the playoffs, they had been mediocre-to-bad in transition. Coming into Game 2, the Lakers were ranked 12 out of 16 teams in transition efficiency and have now moved up to 11 after yesterday’s game. Both LeBron James and Frank Vogel were singing Rondo’s praises after the game.
It obviously helps that the Lakers got a boost from the outside shooting of Markieff Morris. But the opportunities were there in Game 1 and the Lakers failed to take advantage. By getting the ball in Rondo’s hands and allowing LeBron more occasions in which he can fill the lane without having to look out for everyone else, the Lakers feasted in transition in a way they had yet to do so far in the bubble.
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