Following Friday’s victory versus Detroit, the young and rebuilding Rockets have suddenly won four of their last six games within Houston’s friendly downtown confines of Toyota Center. For the 2022-23 season as a whole, the Rockets are a fairly respectable 13-26 (.333) at home while being a woeful 6-33 (.154) on the road.
One of those 13 home wins came less than a month ago versus the storied Lakers, though Los Angeles was without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In Sunday’s rematch, both superstar forwards could play as the Lakers continue their push for the 2023 playoffs, which should only accelerate as the regular season enters its final week.
The Lakers are only a game back in the loss column of the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds in the Western Conference standings, which are spots that would allow them to make the playoffs without having to go through the play-in tournament. On the other hand, they’re only two games ahead of Dallas, which currently sits at No. 11 and wouldn’t even make the play-in field, as things stand at the moment.
In the big picture, the Lakers are a better and more veteran-laden team than the Rockets, and they badly need to win this game. Moreover, they’re unlikely to overlook Houston after losing to them in this same building less than a month ago. Thus, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green likely need to continue their recent momentum for the Rockets to have a chance to win versus the star-studded Lakers.
Lakers’ injury report for tomorrow in Houston:
— AD is probable.
— LeBron is questionable.Both players said last night that they are playing Sunday. pic.twitter.com/NbSTPHW1om
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 1, 2023
When and How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, April 2
- Time: 6 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (19-59)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Los Angeles Lakers (39-38)
- Guard: D’Angelo Russell
- Guard: Austin Reaves
- Forward: LeBron James
- Forward: Jarred Vanderbilt
- Center: Anthony Davis
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Jae’Sean Tate (left knee soreness) as out, while Los Angeles is listing Mo Bamba (left ankle sprain) as out. LeBron James (right foot soreness) is questionable and Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) is probable. It’s worth noting that both played for the Lakers in their most recent game on Friday, and it would be a surprise if either rested, given the West playoff race.
