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Los Angeles Lakers (10-18) vs. Houston Rockets (25-4), Dec. 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m. CDT
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App
Online: Rockets App
Lakers SBNation Blog: Silver Screen and Roll
17 days ago, the Lakers and Rockets met for the first time this season at the Staples Center. Houston won the meeting, 118-95. The win made it the eighth time in the last nine meetings that the Rockets defeated the Lakers.
Since the December 3 contest, the Lakers have won two of five games while the Rockets have won seven en route to a 14-game win streak. Tonight, the Rockets attempt to extend the streak to 15 as the Lakers come into town.
Tonight, the teams come into the game failing to be at full strength. The Rockets will sit Clint Capela for the second time in three games with a heel injury. P.J. Tucker started Saturday’s win over the Bucks when Capela sat, but tonight, Nene will start his first game of the season.
Per MDA, Clint Capela (heel) is out and Nene will start in his place vs the Lakers
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) December 20, 2017
For the Lakers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is out with legal issues and Brook Lopez has an ankle sprain. Kyle Kuzma enters the starting lineup for Los Angeles along with Andrew Bogut.
Full starters: Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Andrew Bogut. Kuz starts over Nance, LAL likely looking for some floor spacing given the Bogut/Lopez swap.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 21, 2017
The Lakers are coming off an overtime thriller against the Warriors, and they will be coming to knock off the longest win streak in the league. Houston needs to come in this game poised right from the start and cannot bank on a fourth quarter like they had against the Jazz. Start strong, finish strong, win strong.
Check out AK’s preview and enjoy the game!