Lakers vs. Rockets Preview: Throwing A Wrench Into A Potential Hollywood Ending

The Houston Rockets are hoping to disrupt Los Angeles' post-season hopes in a home match against the Lakers on Sunday.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets (19-59) will continue their three-game homestand Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (39-38). The Lakers have won six of their last eight games while trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the Rockets are hoping to continue their play as post-season spoilers. 

"We love playing the Lakers," Kevin Porter Jr. said. "They are fun and energetic with Bron [LeBron James] and A.D. [Anthony Davis]. Every player raises their intensity, and this is our home. They are coming to Houston, and we have to defend our home. We want to spoil as many seasons as possible."

The Rockets have been adamant about winning as many games as possible since returning from the All-Star break. And out of six wins, five have come inside the Toyota Center. 

One of Houston's home victories came against Los Angeles in a 114-110 victory on March 15. The game marked the Lakers' second consecutive loss in Houston.

The Rockets began their final homestand of the season in a 121-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons. All five of Houston's starters scored in double figures in Friday night's win, led by Porter (33) and Jalen Green (32).

"This is what it should look like," coach Stephen Silas said. "Offensively, this is ideal. The defense in the fourth quarter, where sometimes it gets a bit shaky for us, we buckled down, got the 50-50 balls and were on the defensive glass. We made it hard for Detroit — and that's all we wanted to do."

Rockets vs. Lakers Broadcast Information

• Date: Sunday, April 2
• Time: 6:00 p.m.
• TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
• Radio: 790 AM
• Live Stream: League Pass

Rockets Injury Report:

• Jae'Sean Tate (left knee soreness) OUT

Lakers Injury Report:

• Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) PROBABLE
• LeBron James (right foot soreness) QUESTIONABLE
• Mo Bamba (left ankle sprain) OUT

Can Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. find consistency in their play?

The Rockets have met nearly every task in their development except for consistency. And after scoring a combined 65 points in a win over the Pistons, it will be interesting to see how Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. will follow up their performance.

Green and Porter said their ability to make reads and feed off each other led to arguably their best game as teammates, which would determine consistency for Houston's backcourt against the Lakers.

Facing off against D'Angelo Russell for the last time:

With the Lakers acquiring D'Angelo Russell at the trade deadline in February, the Rockets will have to face off against the veteran guard for the sixth time this season. And with Davis and James dealing with minor injuries, Russell will likely be the focal point of the Lakers' offense.

Russell is currently averaging 21.1 points on 46.7 percent shooting, 46.8 percent from behind the arc, in the five games he has played against Houston.

His best game came on Jan. 23. The Rockets overcame a 30-point performance by Russell to take a 119-114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He connected on six out of 12 attempts from behind the arc in a loss inside the Toyota Center.

How will Jabari Smith Jr. fair against Anthony Davis?

If Anthony Davis is available Sunday, the game will mark the first time he will play against the Rockets this season.

Davis has had one of his better seasons despite dealing with injuries. He has averaged 26.3 points in the 51 games played. But while helping the Lakers go 6-2 over their last eight, Davis has averaged 28.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Jabari Smith Jr. will spend the night tasked with defending Davis. But despite being a rookie, Smith has successfully defended several All-Star caliber players throughout the season.

His best came during the Rockets' five-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 11. Smith held Giannis Antetokounmpo to 16 points on 7-for-17 shooting in the win.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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