3 key matchups to watch this year for the Houston Rockets

By Michael Knight

Aug 11, 2018

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets in the second half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: James Harden #13 and Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets fight for the ball with Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Harden;Chris Paul;Alex Caruso /

Rockets at Lakers – October 20 at 9:30 p.m. CT

The Houston Rockets get a special opportunity to try to show LeBron James that he chose the wrong team this summer. They will play the Lakers in LeBron’s first ever home game in the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LeBron James said in an interview that while he chose the Lakers, the Sixers and the Rockets were among the options that he considered. That would have been a luxury for the team to have, but they will still be quite good without him.

The Rockets and Lakers almost always seem to play near the beginning of the season and this year is no different. For the first time in a few years, though, the Lakers are a team that likely be in playoff contention due to LeBron’s arrival. It should make the matchups all that more exciting and a must-watch game in the Opening Week of the season.

This game is the late game on ESPN for the night of October 20. With it being one of the first games of the year, we’ll get to see the first stages of the team starting to click on both ends. The Rockets have several tests in the first month, all six games against teams that are expected to be in the playoff hunt.

Next: Game No. 2