Lakers vs Rockets Preview: The Most Awkward Goodbye
The Lakers play the Rockets and for the final time in Kobe Bryant’s career, setting up an awkward Dwight Howard moment
For the last time in his illustrious career, Kobe Bryant will take the floor at the Toyota Center on Sunday afternoon for one final matchup against the Houston Rockets. Not only does that mean Los Angeles Lakers fans and peers getting one step closer to a final goodbye to Kobe, but it also means that one of the most hilariously awkward moments of the Kobe Farewell Tour is set to happen.
As Bryant says goodbye to Houston and the Rockets, the 20-year veteran will also say goodbye to Rockets center Dwight Howard. Lakers fans may or may not have heard, but those two guys didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye during Dwight’s brief tenure with the Lakers.
However, you just know that Howard is going to act like they were the best of friends on Sunday afternoon. He’s that happy-go-lucky guy still that’s going to get caught up in the moment and hug and dap-up Kobe during this final trip to Clutch City. And it’s going to be one of the most hysterically awkward moments in the history of the NBA.
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In terms of the actual basketball, the Rockets are still playing for a playoff spot as they are just one game shy of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. How D’Angelo Russell can capitalize off his 32-point performance his last time out and if the Lakers like Russell and Jordan Clarkson can remotely defend James Harden and company will determine whether or not the Lakers can play spoilers or not.
As has been said before, in these final games of Kobe Bryant’s career, it’s hard to feel anything other than nostalgia and the weight of inevitable change. It’s a numbing weight at this point where wins hold some joy, but losing holds almost no sting at this point in the year. In this time of numbness, at least we can all laugh at Dwight Howard trying to act like he and Kobe like one another.
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
Date: Sunday, April 10
Start Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Location: Houston, TX
Arena: Toyota Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Rockets -14.5
Moneyline: Rockets -2500, Lakers +1100
O/U: 212.5
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Bass—Out, Anthony Brown (foot)—Out, Kobe Bryant (shoulder)—Questionable, Jordan Clakrson (fibula)—Probable, Larry Nance Jr. (knee)—Probable
Houston Rockets: Sam Dekker (back)—Out
Next: Lakers Still Having Impact on West Playoff Race
Prediction
Not that it matters totally, but one of these teams has something to play for (Rockets) and the other is locked into having the second-worst record in the NBA this season (Lakers). However, I think that LA plays spoiler here and that Kobe delivers one final middle finger to Howard as the Lakers top the Rockets.