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The LA Lakers hit the road with the Houston Rockets being their first stop in today's match. After narrowly squeezing a win against the Chicago Bulls in their previous game at the Staples Centre, the LA Lakers are now 2nd in the West. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets and James Harden have just three wins to go with four losses, and are looking to get back on track in the 2020-21 NBA season.
LA Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction: A starting five featuring four veterans and one emerging star
The 2019-20 champions, LA Lakers, had an impressive offseason, and it is showing in their performances so far. Even without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who surprised fans and experts with his displays in the playoffs, the Lakers have been picking up wins.
The LA Lakers acquired reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell and last year's runner-up Dennis Schroder. The duo are consistently putting up double-digit scores, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to pose an unsolvable question to opposing teams. Marc Gasol also boosts the squad as a floor-spacing center while Kyle Kuzma and Wesley Matthews have been chipping in with their scoring.
Also Read: How many rings does LeBron James have?
The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, have had a disappointing season so far. James Harden has declared that looking for a trade and the lack of chemistry has been evident in the Houston Rockets' performance so far.
New acquisitions John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are still playing well, but the team needs to find a solution to their problems quickly if they are to stay in the playoff race. Christian Wood has been a bright spot for the team at the center position, something they would hope to capitalize on.
Point Guard - John Wall (Houston Rockets)
Even though he played his first game in nearly two years this season, John Wall continues to perform at the All-Star we were accustomed to.
He has put up 21 points on 48% shooting so far and has been a valuable player for the Houston Rockets.
This is already his second-best season shooting wise so far, and will be looking to keep the efficiency levels high. Wall has also said that all he cares about is converting these numbers into wins, which is something Houston will appreciate.
Shooting Guard - James Harden (Houston Rockets)
James Harden has been the talk of the NBA this season. From requesting a trade to a championship-contending team to being spotted violating COVID-19 guidelines in Las Vegas, he has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.
However, if there's one thing that's unchanged, it is his ability to put up numbers, as he is averaging 27 points and 11 assists a game. After dishing out a remarkable thirteen assists in his last game, he will look to continue his good run of form against the LA Lakers.
Small Forward - LeBron James (LA Lakers)
At 36, LeBron James continues to be one of the best players in the NBA with the LA Lakers. He's continuing to score at will and is averaging 24.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.8 assists so far.
In his eighteenth season, he is showing no signs of slowing down and leads the Kia MVP ladder.
After the San Antonio Spurs snapped a four-game winning streak for the LA Lakers, despite a marvelous performance by the king, he led them to a win against the Bulls with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. The sixteen-time All-Star will be a must-watch in tonight's game.
Power Forward - Anthony Davis (LA Lakers)
While his status tonight is uncertain, Anthony Davis is certainly an integral piece for the LA Lakers. One of the best defensive players and big men in the league, he is averaging 22.4 points and 9.1 rebounds for the LA Lakers this season.
Something that makes Anthony Davis a deadly threat this year is his vastly improved three-point shot. He is currently shooting 40% on three-pointers, a 7% improvement from the last season.
Center - Christian Wood (Houston Rockets)
Christian Wood has been one of the biggest positives for the Houston Rockets so far, and the 25-year-old is an emerging star. Averaging a terrific 23.3 points and 10.8 rebounds, he has been an excellent replacement for Clint Capela.
After his second 15-rebound game in the blowout win against the Orlando Magic a few days ago, he continues to be the brightest prospect for the Houston Rockets this year.
Guess the Lakers players!
