The Lakers (53-19) are trying to put the embarrassing Oklahoma City loss behind them with a win in Houston.
L.A. lacked a lot of effort last night, losing 91-75. The score itself doesn’t completely describe their overall poor play.
The Lakers shot 32.1 percent through three quarters and needed a 28-point outburst in the final period to ensure they wouldn’t break the franchise record for fewest points in the modern era (70). They managed a season-low seven assists to go with 18 turnovers, and trailed by as many as 33 in losing for the first time since a 96-94 setback at Orlando on March 7.**
But they look to right the ship against the Houston Rockets (36-35).
The Rockets are on the outside looking in, currently sitting at the number 9 seed. And things aren’t getting any better.
Houston is currently on a three-game skid after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers 99-93 last Thursday.
Having key players such as Shane Battier & Kevin Martin in and out of the lineup has mainly been the cause of the slump.
Last meeting, the Rockets took care of the Lakers at the Staples Center, 101-91 on Nov. 15. Holding Bryant to only 18 points on 5 of 20 shooting.
With L.A. only seeing a return for Bynum after the road trip, the Lakers will have to sharpen up their interior defense.
Gasol has been struggling offensively over the past two games, with 10 points against San Antonio and 9 points last night in Oklahoma on 3 of 10 shooting.
Lamar Odom has been playing well, though. He had 15 points and 7 rebounds last night, his 2nd consecutive game with double-digit scoring.
The Lakers will have to out-hustle the scrappy Rockets, who always seem to play very well against us.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) P. Gasol
(PF) L. Odom
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
A. Bynum (left Achilles) is out.
ROCKETS:
(C) C. Hayes
(PF) L. Scola
(SF) T. Ariza
(SG) Kevin Lowry or Chase Budinger
(PG) A. Brooks
Injuries:
David Andersen (sore lower back) is out.
Shane Battier (MCL sprain in left knee) is out.
Jordan Hill (sprained left ankle) is out.
Jared Jeffries (strained left Achilles) is out.
Kevin Martin (sore left shoulder) is out.
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