Published on: Dec 28, 2021 10:35 am IST|Updated on: Dec 28, 2021 10:35 am IST
HOU vs LAL Dream11: COVID-19, injuries, personal disagreements, and a lot of other scenarios can shift how we look at the NBA landscape. There are various combinations that a team can pitch and with the “health & safety protocols” easing up now, we can see superstars playing more often, still, with these protocols, we get to see some players who go under the radar but are at the end of the day built for professional basketball.
Anyway, in this game, the Houston Rockets are going to host the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference affair. Rockets have 24 losses and just 10 wins and the Lakers have lost five in a row having 18 losses and just 16 wins. Now, for the Rockets, this was expected while Lakers are being questioned by critics, fans, and analysts alike.
Rockets are in rebuilding mode but their rebuilding pieces in Jalen Green and Kevin Porter have been injured and absent. Still, there are other talented young players in Sengun, Martin Jr., Brooks, and Christopher who can carve out an identity with this squad.
Lakers have been underwhelming and for me, it will be their lack of hustle that has hurt them. If they have to make a trade then some athletic wing should be the one that I’d pick. The team needs someone who can provide coverage both at the perimeter and anchor the defense. Sadly, LeBron has lost a pep in his step when it comes to defense otherwise who was a better defensive anchor than him! Host: Houston Rockets Visitors: LA Lakers Match Timing: 29 December, @ 06:30 AM Venue: Toyota Center
Rockets: How long will Wood and Gordon stay? Christian Wood and Eric Gordon are two of the top scorers for the Rockets and they were the ones who helped insinuate the confidence during the seven-game winning streak but Rockets are not a deep team and largely a work-in-progress, it may mean that Gordon and Wood can be on their way out soon. Wood can help a team like the Lakers but I doubt that would be able to give the Rockets what they want. For me, Gordon is someone who can fit well for a team like Sixers/Wizards/Nuggets who need someone like him to bolster the scoring front.
Lakers: Hustle harder, Westbrook is not an issue For me, it is not Russell Westbrook who is the issue, I know he is not an elite perimeter defender and can concede costly turnovers, but pinning it all on him is unfair. The way this Lakers squad was made, it was clear that the management preferred experience over current form. The team lacks players who can hustle and the overemphasis on scoring players haven’t paid off. They need a formidable Center and their team balance has taken a hit without Anthony Davis. Now, the team still has time but the current record doesn’t inspire much hope? Will the team make some trades soon? LA Lakers | Houston Rockets Games: 34| 34 Wins: 16| 10 Defeats: 18| 24
Houston Rockets Team News
Rockets Expected Starting Five
Wing: SF: David Nwaba Middle: C: Christian Wood Guards: SG: Armoni Brooks, SG: Eric Gordon, PG: Josh Christopher
BENCH: Daniel Theis, Alperen Sengun, Trevelin Queen, Daishen Nix.
Los Angeles Lakers Team News
Lakers Expected Starting Five
Wings : SF: LeBron James SF: Wayne Ellington Middle: C: Deandre Jordan Guards: PG: Talen Horton-Tucker PG: Russell Westbrook
BENCH: Carmelo Anthony, Daren Collison, Malik Monk, Stanley Johnson, Mason Jones, Jemerrio Jones, Jay Huff, Sekou Doumbouya.
Christian Wood(HOU) Points: 16 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 03 Wood has been a superb presence in the middle for Houston and whatever little wins they have, he has played a big hand. The Center has compiled between 16-26 points, grabbed 9-15 rebounds, and 1-2 blocks a game on a regular basis. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 31-39
LeBron James (LAL ) Points: 39 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 07 Steals: 03 Blocks: 01 LBJ has been playing at an MVP level and he has been one of the highest scorers this season. He has scored 30 or more in most of the games this month and he has also compiled 6-11 rebounds and assists a game too. He can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 55-67
Eric Gordon(HOU) Points: 16 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 03 Gordon is the most experienced scorer on the team and he has done an incredible job at giving the team a stable scoring output. Even then, his earlier range of 20-25 in the month is down to 14-17 as we enter late December. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-32
Russell Westbrook(LAL ) Points: 13 Rebounds: 12 Assists: 11 Steals: 01 Russell has been posting incredible numbers and although he is getting a ton of flak from the Lakers fans, I personally feel it is not just his play but the team’s defensive chemistry that is the issue. Russ can lodge 20+ points, 7+ rebounds, and 7+ assists on a consistent basis. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 41-57
Carmelo Anthony(LAL ) Points: 17 Rebounds: 11 Assists: 04 Blocks: 03 Steals: 02 Melo is an important part of the team as a stretch-Forward because of his shooting. His scoring range has come down from 17-22 points in November to 11-17 points this month. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-35
David Nwaba(HOU) Points: 09 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 01 Steals: 02 After lingering on the bench for a long time, the wing has gotten his opportunity due to the long list of absentees. 8-12 points and a 6-9 rebounds range can be expected Expected Fantasy Points Range: 17-27
PG: R Westbrook SG: M Monk, E Gordon, T Queen SF: L James(SP), T Horton-Tucker PF: C Wood(PP) C: D Howard (Lineup will be revisited again before the game)
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This game is not available on the VH1, MTV, Jio TV, and Voot TV and streaming services. Still, the best way to get hold of all the NBA games, live stream or full game replay is through the annual subscription of the NBA League Pass. To get a hold of the score, go to the official website of the NBA.