Los Angeles Lakers (51-16, first in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (42-25, sixth in the Western Conference)
Lake Buena Vista, Florida; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: James Harden and Anthony Davis meet when Houston faces Los Angeles. Harden is first in the NBA averaging 34.4 points per game and Davis is ninth in the league averaging 26.7 points per game.
The Rockets are 26-18 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 24-13 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 14.4 turnovers per game.
The Lakers are 35-8 against conference opponents. Los Angeles is 32-4 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 15.1 turnovers per game.
The Rockets won the last meeting between these two squads 121-111 on Feb. 6. Russell Westbrook scored 41 points to help lead Houston to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Harden leads the Rockets with 4.4 made 3-pointers, and is averaging 34.3 points while shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc. Robert Covington is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers and 12.5 points over the last 10 games for Houston.
LeBron James has shot 49.4% and is averaging 25.3 points for the Lakers. Davis is averaging 23.7 points and eight rebounds while shooting 41.8% over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 5-5, averaging 117.6 points, 41.3 rebounds, 22.2 assists, 9.7 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points on 46.1% shooting.
Lakers: 6-4, averaging 105.4 points, 43.6 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.7 points on 42.7% shooting.
INJURIES: Rockets: Bruno Caboclo: out (ankle), Eric Gordon: out (ankle), Russell Westbrook: day to day (quad).
Lakers: Dwight Howard: out (knee), Rajon Rondo: out (thumb).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by , and data from ,.
