Lakers (19–9) vs. Rockets (17–10) | Game 30 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
📅 Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
⏰ Tip-off: 5:00 p.m. PST
📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, Calif
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
The Los Angeles Lakers are back home—after playing the last four on the road (going 2-2)—for the franchise’s 51st game on Christmas Day and the third time they’ll face the Rockets on Christmas, last seeing Houston back in 2003.
This will be the first time the Lakers see the Rockets this season, coming in having lost two straight for the first time this season.
Luka Dončić is questionable for Christmas Day after missing the Lakers’ 132-108 road loss on Tuesday to the Suns because of a lower left leg contusion. Dončić has missed eight games and still leads the NBA in scoring at 34.1 points a game.
Austin Reaves made his return against the Suns after a three-game absence, coming off the bench on a minutes restriction. He finished with 17 points in 22 minutes on six-of-11 shooting.
The Rockets, on the other hand, have lost four of their last five games and are coming off a 20-point loss to the Clippers. Houston is 9-8 on the road, while the Lakers have lost two straight at home with a 7-4 record at Crypto.com Arena this season.
The Opponent and their Top Dogs
Kevin Durant (25.63 ppg) and Alperen Sengun (23.2 ppg) have been an All-Star tandem leading Houston at the forefront as one of the top three offensively rated groups in the NBA.
The Rockets’ lack of a primary ballhandler has hurt them more often than not this season, resulting in having Amen Thompson at point guard.
Thompson has given them an edge and high versatility on the defensive end in the NBA’s biggest lineup in the NBA. If Dončić gives it a go, expect Thompson to have the task of guarding the Slovenian.
Reed Sheppard has slowly found his rhythm off the bench as the backup point guard for the Rockets while being a reliable catch and shooting 3-point shooter around Houston stars, shooting 43.5% of his shots from behind the arc this season and leading the team in made 3s (73).
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Rockets have the 3rd-rated (121.7) offense and 10th-rated (113.7) defense in the NBA. Here are some notable (good and meh) rankings of where they sit among the league.
Houston has been one of the best teams statistically on the offensive end, being a top-three scoring team in the league while shooting the least amount of 3-pointers a game on 40% shooting—which ranks second in the NBA.
They have also been the best rebounding team (on offense and defense) in the NBA, with six players averaging five rebounds or more a game this season, which has also allowed them to be the best team in second-chance opportunities at 18.6 second-chance points per contest.
3rd in scoring (120.5 points a game)
5th FG% in the NBA (48.7%)
2nd 3P% in the NBA (40%)
1st in Rebounds (48.7 per)
1st in Offensive rebounds a game (16.1 per)
2nd-highest turnover team in the NBA (16.2 per)
5th in blocks (5.4)
9th in steals (8.8)
With Dončić being questionable, so is backup center Jaxson Hayes, while Rui Hachimura is probable and Gabe Vincent remains out.
Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness): Probable
Luka Dončić (leg contusion): Questionable
Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness): Questionable
Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness): Out
The Lakers will wear their white threads at home, while the Rockets will wear their red icon edition uniforms.
The Lakers continue the next four games in the next 10 days at home, facing Sacramento, Detroit and Memphis twice.