Lakers vs Rockets Preview: First Road Win Without Anthony Davis

LA Lakers need first road win against young Houston Rockets. LeBron James looks to dominate, but Rockets are on a win streak.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of a road win as they kick off their road trip with an 0-2 record. Their next opponent is the young Houston Rockets, and the Lakers will be without Anthony Davis, who is expected to be sidelined. However, they will have Rui Hachimura back to support LeBron James in the frontcourt.

The spotlight will be on the matchup between LeBron and Rockets wing Dillon Brooks, especially after their playoff showdown last season when Brooks played for the Memphis Grizzlies. Brooks has made bold statements about his ability to "lock up" LeBron, but the superstar has proven to be unstoppable this season, particularly when attacking the basket.

LeBron and Davis should be able to dominate in the paint against a Rockets team that lacks resistance at the rim. This game also presents an opportunity for Austin Reaves to continue his recent strong performances after a slow start to the season.

The Rockets, however, are on a three-game win streak and boast a balanced offense with five players averaging double figures, led by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. They also rank in the top 10 in the league in 3-point percentage, posing a threat to the Lakers' defense.

Houston excels at taking care of the ball, which could make it difficult for the Lakers to get out in transition. This means that the Lakers will need to focus on creating good looks in the halfcourt and capitalizing on open shots.

The keys to success for the Lakers remain consistent - they must start strong, secure the defensive glass, and limit turnovers. The Rockets are not a strong rebounding team and do not force many turnovers, providing an opportunity for the Lakers to turn their road trip around and secure a much-needed win.

Key reserves for the Lakers include Rui Hachimura, Cam Reddish, and Max Christie, while the Rockets will rely on Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green.