Houston Rockets: ESPN To Drop January 8th Game Against Los Angeles Lakers

Nov 7, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (10) draws a foul on Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the second half at Toyota Center. The Lakers won 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Local Houstonians without CSN Houston will not rejoice in ESPN’s decision of dropping their scheduled telecast of the Houston Rockets/Los Angeles Lakers matchup on January 8. Originally designed to be the second part of a Wednesday night doubleheader following the San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks game, ESPN has chosen the Phoenix Suns/Minnesota Timberwolves game as the replacement.
The Rockets/Lakers game will also be moved up to a 7 PM tip-off, and with Kobe Bryant expected to miss that game due to his knee sprain, the anticipation and hype will not be as high.
The Rockets travel to Staples Center February 19, and Bryant is expected to be back by then. That game is also scheduled to be televised on ESPN.