Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Pick Center

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TOTAL

Los Angeles Lakers

+850

+13.5
(-115)

O 222.5
(-110)

Houston Rockets

134

N/A

-13.5
(-105)

U 222.5
(-110)

NBA

FINAL (12/7/2016)

Time: 08:00 P.M. EST Venue: Toyota Center HOUSTON -- Lakers center Tarik Black on Monday night added his name to a long list of wounded rotation players whose absence is undermining the promise that marked the first few weeks of this season in Los Angeles. Black suffered an ankle sprain in a 107-101 home loss to the Utah Jazz, increasing the number of sidelined rotation players to five for the Lakers (10-13). Relatedly, the Lakers have dropped three consecutive games, four of six and six of eight as they ready for their second meeting with the Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center. When the Lakers topped the Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 26, it seemed to mark the start of something surprising. But one by one, the Lakers have succumbed to injuries, with Black following guards D'Angelo Russell (left knee), Jose Calderon (right hamstring) and Nick Young (calf) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (right knee) to the injured list. The Lakers' momentum has suffered in lockstep with the lost bodies." Just continue to play, continue to work," Lakers guard Lou Williams said. "It's still early in the season. We've hit a little turbulence right now and hit a little rough patch. We've got to have other guys step in and we've got to continue to compete." The Lakers were forced to utilize a patchwork lineup against the Jazz, starting rookie forward Brandon Ingram at point guard. The experimentation was borne out of necessity and strategy, with the Lakers attempting to employ a personnel package capable of switching everything defensively. A similar gambit might be required against the Rockets, whose pick-and-roll proficiency has yielded the third-ranked offense in the NBA. For Ingram, opportunities abound with Russell and Calderon unavailable." It's great for him. It's absolutely great for him," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "To be able to call plays and bring the ball up and play from that position whether he struggles or has a good game, it's still great learning opportunities and experience for him." The Rockets (14-7) thought they'd been made whole with the news that the front office had matched the Brooklyn Nets' offer sheet for restricted free agent forward-center Donatas Motiejunas, at least until his agent -- former Bulls guard B. J. Armstrong -- declared Tuesday that Motiejunas would not show for his mandatory physical. Assuming that the issue is resolved, Motiejunas provides the Rockets something they've lacked in his absence: A big who can pass and help facilitate their offense. Motiejunas posted a career-high 12.2 assist rate last season. Currently, second-year forward-center Montrezl Harrell leads all Houston big men with an 8.0 assist rate." That's where he'll fit in," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He will move the ball a lot. Most of our guys move it toward the rim, which is good. I like that. It's hard to get into specifics with what he can do because he's not with the team but his role will be a good one. He knows how to play so I can't see why it would be anything but positive." Added Rockets guard James Harden on what Motiejunas brings to the table: "His passing. He's versatile. He's smart, playmaking. He's not one-dimensional. Hopefully he can get acclimated in our system and be ready to go."