This is as good as it gets (if you’re a Rockets fan)

Staff writer Mike Bresnahan ties up some loose ends on days of Lakers playoff games.

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View from the other bench

Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice wrote on his blog that Rockets fans should “all pause to consider how much fun this is.”

“The Rockets are deeper into the playoffs than they’ve been in 12 years,” he wrote. “They’ve lost their two best players and their backup center, and they’re still exchanging punches with the Western Conference’s best team. If you didn’t fall in love with this team during the regular season, you’re almost certainly in love with them now no matter how this plays out. Enjoy, friends, enjoy.”

Funny, he sounds just like T.J. Simers.

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Q&A; of the day

Question: “It’s halfway through the third quarter, Aaron Brooks has just hit a wide-open three to make it a 27-point lead. He was so open, there was enough room to swing a Yao. I turned the game off in disgust, something I haven’t done since a certain blowout last season . . . and even then it was for the last two minutes.

“Am I a bad fan for switching off? I don’t fancy going gray or bald at only 24 years old.”

-- Ian McCabe, Newcastle, England

Answer: Keep your hair and your sanity, Ian. Switching off the telly is allowed whenever the Lakers play the way they did in Game 4. In fact, if they do it again tonight, you could always turn to an elimination episode of “Dancing With the Stars.” Or one of my faves, “Deadliest Catch.” It’s good to have options, no?

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Strange stats

What’s going on with Pau Gasol’s free throws? He made only eight of 13 (61.5%) in Game 4 and had two misses that barely touched the front of the rim.

And don’t look now, but Lamar Odom is averaging a single-single this series -- 8.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game.

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Worst-case Lakers scenario

Dare I say it? The Lakers go back to Houston down 3-2.

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Final thought

If the Lakers don’t win tonight, there’s only one conclusion to be drawn -- they’re just not that into you.

Lakers by nine.

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