Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers Look To Avoid 3rd Straight Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to get back on track when they host the Houston Rockets Tuesday night at the Staples Center. The two teams have split their two games so far this season, with the home team winning in each game.

Houston opened up their four-game road trip with a 111-106 loss at Dallas last Thursday, and then followed that up with a 108-95 loss at San Antonio on Saturday. Houston is just 2-4 in their last six games overall.

The Lakers are coming off a disappointing 109-96 loss at home to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. It was the defending champs' second straight loss overall, as they fell 100-95 at home against the Kings on Friday.

Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight's game, oddsmakers have the Lakers favored by 8.5 points over the Rockets with the total set at 210.

Houston beat the Lakers 109-99 on their home floor back on Dec. 1, and nearly beat Los Angeles at the Staples Center, as Steve Blake hit a late three-pointer to give the Lakers a 112-110 win over Houston on opening night.

As bad as the Lakers looked on Sunday, the Rockets have to expect Los Angeles to come out with a little extra spark. Los Angeles won't want to have a three-game losing streak with San Antonio on the schedule next and a seven-game road trip after that.

Houston is going to need Kevin Martin to deliver with a big game for the Rockets to pull off the upset. Martin has been hit or miss lately. Against the Mavericks, Martin had 27 points, but in the following game against the Spurs, he had just 10 points. Martin seems to be at his best when he is aggressive and gets to the free-throw line. That will be a big key for him tonight.

Houston will also need a big game from Luis Scola, who had a team-high 23 points against the Spurs. The Rockets will also need production out of Kyle Lowry and Aaron Brooks.

It's hard to figure out if this Lakers team isn't as goo...

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