The Los Angeles Lakers (7-6) are set to face off against the Houston Rockets (6-4) at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday evening for their second meeting of the season. The Rockets previously defeated the Lakers 128-94 on Nov. 8, during a game in which Anthony Davis was absent. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Spectrum SportsNet.
Here are three key things to know ahead of the matchup:
RESURGENT ROCKETS
The Houston Rockets’ performance over their last three seasons has been anything but impressive:
2022-23: 22-60
2021-22: 20-62
2020-21: 17-55
However, this season, the Rockets, bolstered by the acquisitions of veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, along with talented young players from the draft, have shown significant improvement. Despite a close defeat to the Clippers on Friday, they hold a 6-4 record, marking one of their best starts since the 1999-2000 season.
Fred VanVleet has been a standout player, showcasing impressive numbers in points, assists, and three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks has made a remarkable recovery in his performance and efficiency, largely due to the contributions of both Brooks and Coach Ime Udoka.
RUSSELL’S HOT STREAK
D’Angelo Russell has recently demonstrated an outstanding shooting performance, notably hitting 14 of 21 three-pointers in his last three games. His 3-point shooting has been particularly prolific, placing him among the top 5 in the Western Conference for consistent high-scoring games.
Russell also stands out as a leading playmaker, excelling in assists and demonstrating efficiency in managing turnovers.
IST UPDATES
The Lakers’ upcoming game against Houston does not impact their standing in the In-Season Tournament. After a victory against Portland on Friday, the Lakers’ status in the tournament group is worth noting in anticipation of their upcoming game against Utah.
Group A Standings (Team: Record; Point Differential; Remaining Games)
The Lakers will win their group if:
The Lakers could win their group if:
The Lakers could lose their group but still get the wild card if:
Several teams have already been eliminated with at least two losses, including POR, MEM, DAL, LAC, OKC, and SAS.
The Lakers could lose to UTA and not advance if:
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