We haven’t even got out of the first quarter and the Lakers are playing a little too feisty.

Kobe kneed and elbowed Shane Battier after some perfect defense in which Kobe lost the basketball.  Sasha Vujacic knocked the snot out of Shane Battier a few minutes later on a fight for a loose ball that he (Sasha) had no chance of getting.

The Lakers definitely know that the Rockets are. at the very least, a legit opponent.  After being down the entire opening quarter, they have realized that this will be a battle.  And it’s just heating up…