Rockets vs. Lakers
When/where: 9:30 p.m. today; Staples Center, Los Angeles.
TV/radio: ATTSW, 740 AM. So far: Rockets 16-53; Lakers 39-30.
Lately: The Rockets have a six-game losing streak, dropping the first three of a four-outing road trip to extend their away skid to five. The Lakers outlasted the Knicks 101-99 in OT on Tuesday, giving them wins in three of their past seven and four of their past 12.
SCOUTING THE ROCKETS
In the Rockets’ past seven games, beginning with their most recent win when they scored a season-high 143 points, the team has allowed 130.1 points per game on 51.8 percent shooting and 42.7 percent 3-point shooting. … Houston has averaged 114.3 points per game in its past eight games, scoring at least 110 in four consecutive outings for the first time this season. … Opponents have scored at least 60 first-half points in 15 of the Rockets’ past 21 games. The Trail Blazers’ 50 first-quarter points Monday were the thirdmost the Rockets have allowed in a quarter. … In his past four games played, center Kelly Olynyk has averaged 22 points, 10.3 rebounds and seven assists. Olynyk had 21 points in Portland on Monday, his 16th game with at least 20 points this season. He had never scored 20 points in more than six games in any of his previous NBA seasons. … Forward K.J. Martin has averaged 22.8 points, nine rebounds and 4.8 assists in his past four games since moving into the starting lineup. Martin has made 59.3 percent of his 3-pointers as a starter, the second-best in the NBA among players with at least five starts.
SCOUTING THE LAKERS
The Lakers are 6-5 in the second game of back-tobacks. … Los Angeles went into Tuesday’s game against the Knicks tied for first in defensive rating. … The Lakers are 11-15 in games LeBron James has missed, including Tuesday against the Knicks. … Center Andre Drummond has 431 double-doubles since he was drafted in 2012, the most in the NBA. … James made 12 of 23 shots with 13 assists and 15 rebounds in his two games after coming back from a sprained ankle, leaving the second game after 27½ minutes and sitting out the next five games … Forward Anthony Davis on Sunday became the only Lakers player to post 42 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocked shots in a game.
NUMBER TO NOTE
Times in the past four seasons where the Rockets will be the opponent for a tot;e team’s banner-raising ceremony. They watched the Warriors in the 2017-18 seasonopener.
INJURY/STATUS REPORT
Rockets: Center Christian Wood (sore right ankle), forward DaQuan Jeffries (sore right ankle) and forward/guard Danuel House Jr. (sore right ankle) are questionable. Guard Kevin Porter Jr. (sprained left ankle), guard Avery Bradley (personal reasons), guard John Wall (strained right hamstring), forward David Nwaba (sprained right wrist), guard Eric Gordon (strained right groin), guard Dante Exum (right calf strain), forward D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols) and guard Sterling Brown (head, face lacerations) are out.
Lakers: Forward Jared Dudley (right MCL tear) and guard Dennis Schroder (health and safety protocols) are out. Forward LeBron James (right ankle sprain) has missed the past five games.