Game 24: Houston Rockets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview

The Houston Rockets bounced back with a quality 109-103 win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday, the last time they played a basketball game.

Although they’re shooting the ball a lot better and have been averaging 109.9 PPG and 48.8 percent shooting from the field over the last eight games. Their clip was 99.7 PPG and 41.5 percent through the first 15 games.

But one thing this team has to work on is its turnovers — the 24 they had against the Brooklyn Nets and the 19 against the Wizards has caused their average to go up to 18.1 per over the last eight games. That’s up over 17.1 in the first 15 games.

The Rockets are second-to-last in the league in turnover ratio — they have a whopping 15 percent of their possessions end with a turnover.

If they can clean that up and tighten up some more on defense, then this team can really start working on winning strings of games.

But anyway, the Rockets face the 3-20 Los Angeles Lakers, who have lost five in a row and their 12 last of 13. They also have a chance to get back to .500 for the first time since earlier this season when they were 4-4 and at the brink of a Kevin McHale firing.

In the middle of all of that futility, Kobe Bryant is in the middle singing his swan song — making his final tour of duty after 20 seasons in the NBA.

That’s a long time — considering that I was a sophomore in high school when Mumba entered the league, it really helps me gauge how long he has been a fixture in this league.

Without a doubt, he’ll go down as one of the greatest to ever pick up a basketball but what I’m seeing now is just a shell of his old self.

But there are moments where he does find himself and has that flash of brilliance.

That may be tonight as he faces Dwight Howard, a guy that he has had seemed to have a beef with since the played together briefly a couple of seasons ago.

We all know Kobe is committed to winning but sometimes can be quite harsh on his teammates as a result of his hunger, which didn’t go over well with Dwight.

So we’ll have to see if there’s still any bad blood between these guys as this game progresses.

It’ll be interesting for sure.

So who’s leading the charge for the Lakers?

Bryant leads the team in scoring (15.8 PPG), assists (3.2 APG) and steals (1.10 SPG). Julius Randle is the top board-getter (9.3 RPG) and Roy Hibbert is the team’s chief shot-blocker (1.90 BPG).

Let’s talk about what the Lakers do well.

You’d be hard-pressed to find any thing this team does well as they only have three wins on the season but here’s one thing:

They take care of the basketball. The Lakers are 8th in the league in turnover ratio with only 13.1 percent of their possessions ending in a turnover.

Injuries:

Trevor Ariza bruised his lower back in last night’s game off hard fall against the Brooklyn Nets this past Wednesday and did not return. His X-rays have come out negative so at least there’s some hope that the injury is not as bad as it seemed. It’s extremely rare for Ariza to miss a game — Ariza appeared in all 82 games last season — I even recall he still appeared in a game despite a bout with the flu at the midpoint. Up until Wednesday, he had started 104 consecutive games dating back to his time with the Wizards, his former team. Corey Brewer will be ready to go if Ariza has to sit. Ariza’s status is QUESTIONABLE for tonight.

Sam Dekker had back surgery and is expected to miss about a couple more months.

Jordan Clarkson is battling a sprained ankle that has sidelined him for a bit. He missed last night’s match up against the San Antonio Spurs and Byron Scott is quite skeptical that he’ll be a go tonight.

Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.

Next: Rockets Live: A Personal Experience At Verizon Center

Three Things to Watch:

Will there be any bad blood between Kobe and Dwight Howard tonight?
Patrick Beverley vs. D’Angelo Russell
Trevor Ariza?/Corey Brewer vs. Kobe

Prediction:

105-95 in a Rockets’ win!

The Rockets are back at home to take on the Lakers at Toyota Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets!

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