After only spending one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard is finally back in Los Angeles to face the former teammates he briefly graced with his presence in 2013. The Lakers and Houston Rockets have met twice this season, with each team winning one game.
Jodie Meeks will come off bench in first game back.
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) February 19, 2014
As has been the case through much of the season, the Lakers will again be shorthanded as Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Nick Young will not see any action in Wednesday’s game. With the trade deadline looming on Thursday, it is plausible Gasol may have played his final game as Laker. Jode Meeks will return to action and Jordan Farmar is considered a game-time decision. Meeks will come in off the bench in what will be his first game back since suffering a sprained ankle on Feb. 4.
Conversely, the Rockets only have one name appearing on their injury report — Ronnie Brewer, who is out with a sprained ankle. The Rockets are 8-2 in their last 10 games as they continue to battle for playoff position in the Western Conference.
DH not scared of game vs. Lakers: “I’m gonna hear it the whole game–‘Coward,’ whatever.” Says he’s used to Laker fans booing him everywhere
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 18, 2014
When the schedule-makers set the date for Howard’s first game against the Lakers in Los Angeles, it was presumably with the hope that Kobe Bryant would have recovered from his ruptured Achilles. With Bryant now nursing a knee injury and unable to play, much of the intrigue in Wednesday’s game is centered around the crowd’s treatment of Howard. The former-Laker doesn’t expect a warm welcome and believes it will be the status quo since his signing with the Rockets.
– Click here for a preview of tonight’s game.
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2014 NBA Trade Deadline Facts: Which Lakers CANNOT Be Traded
Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
