The Los Angeles Lakers look for their fifth straight victory on Friday night as they host the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. This is the third and final meeting between these two teams this season, with each team winning on their home floor.
The Lakers have beaten Houston four straight times at Staples Center, including a 108-99 victory on January 3. Kobe Bryant has led the Lakers in scoring in both games played against Houston this season, averaging 33.0 points per game.
Bryant scored 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and was joined by teammate Andrew Bynum, who poured in 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting. They were the first pair of Lakers teammates to score 30 or more points on 65% or better shooting since Bryant and Shaquille O`Neal turned the trick against Golden State on February 18, 2004.
Kobe is also three steals from tying Magic Johnson's franchise record of 1,724 steals.
The Rockets are on the second leg of a four-game road trip, and they have had three days off since winning 99-93 in Chicago on Monday. Houston is 9-17 on the road this season.
Friday's 7:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime TIcket. For more news and notes on Lakers basketball, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.