Lakers vs Rockets Preview: Rebuild D-Loading

The Lakers’ rebuilding project moves on with another road game, this one against the Houston Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their 20th loss of the season on Friday night as they fell by 22 points to the San Antonio Spurs. However, that’s not the whole story coming out of that game. The bigger and more favorable narrative is that the Lakers are making positive strides in terms of the rebuilding process, which will ideally continue on Saturday in a matchup with the Houston Rockets.

When head coach Byron Scott announced that D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle would be coming off of the bench for the foreseeable future, most Lakers fans shook their head in the illogical nature of such a move. But an injury to Jordan Clarkson and other factors have since forced Scott’s hand in terms of giving the rookie point guard and the second-year forward their shine and it has paid off.

Russell had a career night against the Spurs as he put up a career-high 26 points while also dishing out six assists and grabbing six boards. This also came just one game after the rookie essentially carried the Lakers to overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While Randle struggled and trailed off from his streak of double-doubles against San Antonio, there was still optimism coming out of the loss.

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Against a Rockets defense on Saturday night that has been lambasted by many for their lack of effort, Lakers fans have to be hoping for another big night from Russell and even from Lou Williams, who has quietly been at his best as of late. Moreover, Kobe Bryant‘s lack of ball-stopping in the offense would be another great thing to see against Houston. In addition, a resurgence from Randle after an off night should probably be expected with a favorable matchup at the four against the likes of Terrence Jones.

Don’t mistake this as a matchup where the Lakers are favored, though; the Rockets are one of the best offensive teams in the league when James Harden and company are clicking and the LA defense hasn’t exactly been able to stop opponents this season. This one could wind up being a shootout featuring very few stops and some gaudy individual numbers.

That being said, the result still doesn’t matter for the Lakers. Even if this winds up being the 21st loss in 24 games this season, all that this team needs is to keep making strides toward developing a reliable young core. Let’s hope that Russell and Randle can at least do that; better yet, let’s hope Scott allows them to that against the Rockets.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Start Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: Houston, TX
Arena: Toyota Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet, Sportsnet One
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Rockets -11.5
Moneyline: Rockets -800, Lakers +600
O/U: 209.5

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Clarkson (ankle)—Questionable

Houston Rockets: Ty Lawson (illness)—Questionable, Trevor Ariza (back)—Questionable, Sam Dekker (back)—Out

Prediction

Next: An Open Letter to the Lakers Front Office

This is a game that, with Houston’s lack of defensive effort, could be much closer than people might expect. I think the Rockets’ talent advantage ultimately carries them to a win, but in a close game and in another respectable Lakers outing.

Be sure to check back with Lake Show Life for all your news, analysis, updates, and more for the Lakers.