Tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET the Houston Rockets (4-1) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (2-3) at the Toyota Center in a game that may or may not be emotional for Rockets center Dwight Howard. Live stream the game here; Lakers fans can check out the radio broadcast on 710 ESPN, while Rockets fans can listen in on Sports Radio 610.
Howard is averaging 17.4 points per game, and 14. 6 rebounds while looking as explosive as ever in a Rockets uniform, which is likely leaving Lakers fans seeing red literally and figuratively.
Howard has been roasted for forcing his way out of Orlando, then ditching Los Angeles after a trying season in which he played hurt and failed to mesh with Kobe Bryant. After announcing his decision, stories leaked about Howard's demands of the organization if they wanted to keep him, which were rumored to include the ouster of both Bryant and coach Mike D'Antoni.
There's no need to talk about what the Lakers could have done. I made my decision and I'm living with it," Howard said. "I'm happy where I'm at, I'm in a great place. Everybody should move forward. It's over with."
He figures to be a thorn in the Lakers' side tonight, as does shooting guard James Harden who leads the team with 26.5 points per game. Harden's shooting just 26.5 percent from 3-point range, but is connecting at 51.2 percent overall through five games.
Harden says playing with Howard is a dream, and has had a much easier time connecting with him than Kobe did. "Dwight makes the whole game so much easier for each teammate," Harden said. "He draws double teams. He's a great passer. He dominates the post and he can score it. He does everything."
The Lakers defense is hurting them, as they're giving up nearly 110 points per game. "You can't get blown out and then think now we need to learn to win," D'Antoni said. "No, we need to learn how to play. We're not playing right now."
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