Rockets at Lakers
THE STORY: The Lakers will try to run their winning streak to five games and put a tighter grasp on their Pacific Division lead when they host Houston on Friday night. Los Angeles leads the Clippers by two games and earned a 113-108 victory over their Staples Center rivals on Wednesday. Andrew Bynum returned after sitting out one game with a sprained ankle and scored 36 points. The Rockets should be well-rested, having not played since a 99-93 victory at Chicago on Monday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Rockets), FS Prime Ticket (Lakers)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (29-25): Houston certainly has shown it is capable of beating the NBA’s best teams on the road with wins at Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Rockets, tied for seventh in the West with Denver, have lost four in a row at Staples Center. Starting guard Kyle Lowry has missed the last 14 games with a bacterial infection, although he participated in drills Thursday. The Rockets signed guard Earl Boykins to a second 10-day contract, meaning he will be with the team for five more games.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (35-20): Bynum shrugged off the ankle sprain, although he admitted he was in pain - especially on spin moves. He posted his second-highest point total of the season while Kobe Bryant added 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting. “Kobe didn't want to lose,” Bynum said. “We are fighting for a playoff spot. They are one game behind us, so we had to get this win.” Metta World Peace has been playing through an ankle injury.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Bryant has the most 40-point performances (eight) against the Rockets as well as the most 50-point games (three).
2. Houston’s Goran Dragic is averaging 22.7 points on 62.5 percent shooting and six assists in his last three games.
3. The Lakers have won 14 games since March 1, but just two by double digits.