Golden State Warriors (32-14) vs Los Angeles Lakers (25-22)
Where to Watch
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 22
Time: 9:00 AM IST
TV: Sony ESPN
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Game Preview
The second contest between the Warriors and Lakers is set to be very different from their previous clash on Christmas Day.
Both teams were more or less healthy (Golden State were missing DeMarcus Cousins) in their Christmas Day game but that isn't the case this time around. The Lakers would most probably be missing three ball handlers (LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and Lonzo Ball) in this game, two of which suffered their injuries on Christmas Day.
The Lakers, whose offensive rating ranks 28th since LeBron has missed time with a groin injury, had their best offensive night in the win at OKC and replicated that by dropping 134 points in an OT loss in Houston. So far, without the four-time league MVP, the young team has gone 5-8 in 13 games, which isn't so bad considering the fact the 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers that went to the 2017 Finals went 0-8 without LeBron that season.
Over the past two games, against the Rockets and the Thunder, despite being shorthanded, the Lakers have been very competitive but obviously the Golden State Warriors are another beast altogether.
Golden State are coming into this game on a 7-game win streak, with an average points margin of 18.4 points, including a huge 31-point win at Denver.
Four of these past seven games, the Warriors have won on the road. In fact, they are also riding a six-game road win streak and to make matters worse for the Lakers, the Warriors have been resting in Los Angeles since Friday.
Even with all this winning going on, the headlines will be about DeMarcus Cousins' performance on his return from an Achilles injury. In 15 minutes, he fouled out but finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists on 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Game Notes
- In their 24 previous home games at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers are 15-9.
- The two-time defending champions have a league-best road record of 14-8.
- The Lakers have three ball handlers who are said to be game-time decisions for them - LeBron James (Groin), Rajon Rondo (Hand), and Lonzo Ball (Ankle).
- Meanwhile, Golden State will only be missing Damian Jones (Pectoral) for this contest.
Last Time They Played
Date: Dec. 26, 2018
Score: Lakers 127-101 Warriors
Lakers: Rajon Rondo - 15 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds on 54.5% shooting.
Warriors: Andre Iguodala - 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 75.0% shooting.
Houston Rockets (26-19) vs Philadelphia 76ers (30-17)
Where to Watch
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 22
Time: 6:30 AM IST
TV: Sony ESPN
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Game Preview
Ever since Rockets' overtime win in Golden State, which ended the team's 11 wins in 12 games stretch, Houston has been .500 in the next eight games. Is their inconsistency a result of the huge burden on James Harden, who is leading the league in minutes (37.4) and points averaged (35.7) for the season.
Harden, who has been on an absolute tear, extended his 30+ points streak to 19. His burden to carry the team is showcased by this stat:
James Harden has scored 163 points in his last 3 games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 20, 2019
Only Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have scored more in a 3-game span in the last 50 seasons (h/t @EliasSports).
All 163 of the points have been unassisted.
He attempted 30 shots on Saturday. None came directly off a pass pic.twitter.com/B95SX8ZZGM
Having said that, Eric Gordon did return for the Rockets a couple of games back and he played a huge role in the team's overtime win over the Lakers - knocked down three to force OT and nailed clutch free-throws in overtime to ice the game.
Houston will need every player on their roster to overcome the 76ers on the road. The Philadelphia franchise are in the middle of a monster stretch of their schedule which could go on to define their schedule.
They already played the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, going 1-1, and are now said to be the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers (2), Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets (2).
The media reports surrounding the team's Big 3 being unhappy with their offense down the stretch of games has quieted down.
Game Notes
- At home at the Wells Fargo Center, the 76ers are 19-5 in their 24 previous games.
- Meanwhile, the Rockets are 9-12 in their 21 previous road games.
- The home team will be without three players for this matchup - Markelle Fultz (Shoulder), Zhaire Smith (Foot), and Justin Patton (Foot).
- Brandon Knight (Knee) is reportedly a game-time decision but Houston will still miss three players - Chris Paul (Hamstring), Clint Capela (Thumb), and Carmelo Anthony (Coachs' decision).
Last Time They Played
Date: Oct. 31, 2017
Score: 76ers 115-107 Rockets
76ers: Joel Embiid - 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals on 75.0% shooting.
Rockets: James Harden - 29 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.