Thursday, December 25, the Rockets (17-10) enter their final road test in a six away-game stretch against the Los Angeles Lakers (19-9).

When: Thursday, December 25 @ 7PM CT

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Where to watch:

ESPN

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Space City Home Network (local)

YouTubeTV (with subscription)

Sling Tv (with subscription)

Peacock (with subscription)

Subject to local blackouts

On the sixth and final game of a long road trip in which they’ve lost four of five so far, Houston faces the Lakers in Los Angeles on Christmas Day.

The Rockets arrive Thursday off a frustrating loss to the Clippers, a game that followed a script Houston fans are starting to recognize. The first half felt controlled and manageable, but once halftime passed, the rhythm disappeared. The third quarter turned into another sluggish stretch where focus slipped, momentum flipped, and Houston never really recovered.

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Los Angeles capitalized on every opening. The Clippers held the league’s third highest scoring team to just 108 points by winning the turnover battle, locking down the perimeter, and cutting off the Rockets’ second-chance looks. Houston was not beaten by talent- they were beaten by execution.

Now, Houston faces a matchup that demands full attention. While the Rockets have been steadfast in treating elite teams like true competition, making games uncomfortable for them and controlling the tempo, a new pattern has emerged- they lose to teams they should absolutely handle.

The Lakers walked out of Phoenix on Tuesday having been steamrolled by the Suns 108-132.

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Los Angeles hung in for much of the first half, but their defense started to slip just before the break. The Suns amassed a double-digit lead in no time, and the Lakers never recovered. After halftime, Phoenix didn’t let up, going 8-for-16 from deep. Los Angeles was able to draw personal fouls, but several missed free throws- just 62-percent from the line all night- cost them.

This will be the first time the Rockets have faced the Lakers this season. And based on their recent performances against lower-ranking opponents, this game could go either way.

Will Houston’s gift to fans be a strong finish to this road trip?