Houston Rockets Try To Stop Losing Skid in L.A. vs Lakers

Game Day: Houston Rockets versus Lakers

The Details

Venue:   Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Game Time: 10:30 PM EST – 9:30 PM CT

TV: TNT National TV

Radio: 790 AM in Houston and 710 AM ESPN / 1330 A in LA

Recent History:

December 12 LAL 97  – 126 HOU

January 25: HOU 99-87 LAL

November 19: LAL 98-92 HOU

October 28: HOU 108 -90 LAL

Walking Wounded:

Lakers:

• No injuries listed

Rockets:

• Sam Dekker – back surgery November 20 , will be out 3 months

Projected Starters:

D’Angelo Russell, Kobe Bryant, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Roy Hibbert

Rockets: Patrick Beverley,James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Clint Capela,Dwight Howard

The Key Match-up:

With all the news in social media buzzing around Dwight Howard look for him to have a statement game vs. Roy Hibbert.  I do wonder if Bickerstaff will look to bring Donatas Motiejunas back into the starting line-up tonight, but if not keep an eye on his playing time.  Something in my gut says DeMo is going to have a strong performance tonight regardless of whether he starts or comes in off the bench.

Key Reserves:

Lakers: Lou Williams,Brandon Bass, Metta World Peace

Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas,Marcus Thornton, Corey Brewer,  Ty Lawson, Jason Terry, K.J. McDaniels

size=”30px”]Keys To Winning:[/h]

Don’t Play Down to Competition: It’s important the Rockets start to make teams play to their strengths instead of playing down to their competition. With the need to improve specifically on the defensive end of the floor it’s important the Rockets start to develop consistent habits and improve upon their early poor performances (especially defensively).

Shut Down Lakers Early: When you’re playing an inferior team the last thing you want to do is let them feel confident or give them any early hope.

Be EMPHATIC – Stop the Losing Streak  Sure the Rockets have been scoring at a major clip but then look at who they’ve been playing. I hate to beat a dead horse, but the major issue is the need for Houston to get back to the defensive principles that won them games last season and have them sitting atop the West.

Prediction:

More from Space City Scoop

• Rockets: Time to return the slander towards Rachel Nichols
• What the Rockets must do with the second overall pick
• Houston Rockets: The case for, and against, trading Christian Wood
• NBA Rumors: Why the Houston Rockets shouldn’t trade up to no. 1 in NBA Draft
• 3 players that would be a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets at 23 or 24

The odds makers have the Rockets favored by 6 points for the win with an over/under of 213.5 points.

I’m inclined to think this might be a blow out win for the Rockets given all the chatter in the media about them and hey the Lakers already got their win this week against the Bucks.

As bad as things have been for Houston they are going to get worse if they don’t start adopting good defensive habits and recognizing their opponents understand who they are so it’s them that needs to put in the effort and energy.

For more exciting news and stories on the Los Angles Lakers visit our affiliate Fansided site: Lake Show Life  Plus check our our Preseason Team Preview of the Lakers :

Next: Sideline Chirps Ed 3

Make sure you catch up on our entire Team Preview Series, our Houston Rockets Player Profile Series as well as our SCS Round Table Sessions to help you get through the season. Start your morning with SCS Rocket Science Daily and visit us throughout the day to keep abreast of all your Houston Rockets news and updates.