• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Winning streaks collide as Rockets host Lakers

Jan 13, 2009 - 2:50 PM LA Lakers (30-6) at Houston (24-15) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- It hasn't necessarily been pretty, but the Houston Rockets have gotten the job done recently. Now, as they look to extend their modest winning streak to four games, they face one of their stiffest tests of the season.

The Rockets continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday against the high-powered Los Angeles Lakers as the defending conference champs look to continue their recent offensive onslaught.

Already the highest-scoring team in the NBA, the Lakers have been virtually unstoppable on the offensive end recently. Over their last seven games, they are averaging 113.0 points per contest - including 130 in a rout of Golden State and 121 in a two-point triumph over Indiana on Friday.

However, that kind of offense doesn't come quite as easily against the Rockets as it does against the leaky defenses of the Pacers and Warriors. Carried for years by a stingy defense, Houston has shown more of the same this campaign, holding opponents to 93.7 points per contest.

Then again, that certainly didn't stop the Lakers the last time these two teams met. In a November 9 meeting at the Staples Center, the Lakers exploded for 111 points - including 39 in the fourth quarter - in a 30-point blowout. Kobe Bryant scored 23 points and Pau Gasol collected 20 and 15 boards.

That night was a miserable one for Rockets All-Star Tracy McGrady, who went just 1-of-11 from the field for a mere three points in the losing cause. This time around, Houston won't have to worry about a repeat performance - the veteran guard is out for at least the next two weeks with a nagging knee injury.