Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game preview

After a few days off to recover from a loss against a team with everything to play for, Houston gets ready to play a team with nothing to play for.

The Los Angeles Lakers do not own their first round pick and therefore have no reason to tank. With this game on national television and the Lakers trying to position themselves for a shot at multiple top-tier free agents, you can expect LA to come out swinging.

LA is home for a bunch of the Rockets. James Harden and Trevor Ariza grew up in the city. Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, Tarik Black, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute all spent time playing for one of the two LA franchises. Even with those connections in mind, here’s hoping Houston plays their main guys for the first half or so then cruises to the finish line.

Houston will probably be without Ryan Anderson again tonight, and anyone else that Mike D’Antoni wishes to rest. Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma are questionable for the Lakers.

Tip-off is at 9:30pm CT on TNT