In night two of a back-to-back for both teams, the Lakers host the Rockets on Monday night. Both teams played in the same Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, so there’s no travel for either side in between. Los Angeles fell to Philadelphia, while Houston lost to the Clippers.
The Rockets have lost 10 straight and 15 of their last 16 games, but there are some reinforcements on the way, which might make them less weary than they would otherwise be on the second half of a back-to-back. Jalen Green and Jae’Sean Tate will each return after missing Sunday’s game due to suspensions, and Kevin Porter Jr. could return after missing the last two games with a foot injury.
It’s been another underwhelming season for the veteran-laden Lakers, who sit at No. 13 in the Western Conference standings — only two spots in front of last-place Houston! That may also, however, make them heavily incentivized to pursue a win over one of the only West opponents that they should feel confident in being able to beat.