GAME THREAD: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

<h3>Bryant still a Laker, ready for opener vs. Rockets</h3>

<div class="pre">Houston (0-0) at La Lakers (0-0) 10:30 pm EDT</div>

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant is still a member of the LosAngeles Lakers - for now.


Bryant and the Lakers host the Houston Rockets in the seasonopener for both teams on Tuesday.


Bryant has been on the block since owner Jerry Buss said hewould listen to offers for the two-time scoring champion earlierthis month.


The three-time NBA champion missed Friday's preseason finalebecause of a sprained wrist, but is expected to be in uniformfor the opener.


Bryant is upset that the Lakers were eliminated by the PhoenixSuns in the first round of the playoffs for the secondconsecutive season and did nothing to improve the team in theoffseason.


How Bryant interacts with his teammates will be heavilyscrutinized, since he has cited the lack of talent around him asthe reason for his trade demand in May.


His relationship with coach Phil Jackson also will be closelymonitored after Jackson said Bryant, "hasn't thrown his heartand soul into performing on the floor," this preseason.

Meanwhile, the Lakers will be missing Lamar Odom, who was theteam's second-leading scorer. Odom underwent surgery to repaira torn labrum in May, and will likely miss the first two weeksof the season.


Los Angeles, which lost 27 of its last 43 games last season, canill afford to be distracted against a solid Rockets team.

First-year coach Rick Adelman replaces Jeff Van Gundy, who ledHouston to its best record in 10-years. However, the Rocketswere eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for thefourth straight season, prompting a coaching change.

Adelman inherits a solid nucleus of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.Ming averaged a career-best 25.0 points last season and McGradyadded 24.6 and 6.5 assists.


Joining them will be Steve Francis, who returns to Houston aftertwo seasons in Orlando and two in New York.


The teams split four games last season.

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON VS LA LAKERS - INACTIVES

HOUSTON LA LAKERS

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
S NOVAK COACH'S DECISION L ODOM SHOULDER
A BROOKS COACH'S DECISION V RADMANOVIC COLD
C LANDRY COACH'S DECISION J CRITTENTON COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON AT LA LAKERS - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


HOUSTON LA LAKERS

F Shane Battier F Ronny Turiaf
F Chuck Hayes F Luke Walton
C Yao Ming C Kwame Brown
G Tracy McGrady G Kobe Bryant
G Rafer Alston G Derek Fisher</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON AT LA LAKERS - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


HOUSTON LA LAKERS

F Shane Battier F Ronny Turiaf
F Chuck Hayes F Luke Walton
C Yao Ming C Kwame Brown
G Tracy McGrady G Kobe Bryant
G Rafer Alston G Derek Fisher

OFFICIALS: Jack Nies
Rodney Mott
Benny Adams</div>

 

Re: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

2 minutes and noone can make a shot. haha</p>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 0
LA LAKERS 2 8:52 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

With 9 minutes left, Kobe makes the first shot. </p>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 4
LA LAKERS 9 6:04 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

Pls pls blowout the rockets!</p>

 

Re: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

come on kwame missed FT's!</p>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 10
LA LAKERS 17 2:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 16
LA LAKERS 25 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 16 16
LA LAKERS 25 25 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

HOU - YAO MING 9, TRACY MCGRADY 3, MIKE JAMES
2
LAL - KOBE BRYANT 13, DEREK FISHER 4, RONNY
TURIAF 4</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 23
LA LAKERS 27 8:59 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: HOUSTON (0-0) at LA LAKERS (0-0)

yo what happened to kobe? injured or just taken out for a rest?</p>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 31
LA LAKERS 31 6:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 38
LA LAKERS 36 2:42 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 43
LA LAKERS 43 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 16 27 43
LA LAKERS 25 18 43 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

HOU - YAO MING 13, MIKE JAMES 11, TRACY
MCGRADY 10
LAL - KOBE BRYANT 19, DEREK FISHER 9, LUKE
WALTON 5</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at LA LAKERS

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 51
LA LAKERS 47 8:45 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>