The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE or watch the live stream HERE.
Rockets star Dwight Howard insists Thursday won't be nearly as dramatic as when he played Orlando for the first time last season. Howard bolted from Los Angeles during the summer amidst reports of frustration with Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni and an inability to get along with Kobe Bryant.
Howard's one and only season in Los Angeles saw them finish 45-37 before unceremoniously ending with a first-round playoff sweep by the San Antonio Spurs.
"There's no need to talk about what the Lakers could have done. I made my decision and I'm living with it," Howard said, via ESPN. "I'm happy where I'm at, I'm in a great place. Everybody should move forward. It's over with."
Howard, now paired with All-Star James Harden, and the Rockets (4-1) are off to a solid start. He grabbed 26 rebounds in his debut with the Rockets and has since averaged 17.4 points and 14.6 rebounds per game.
"Dwight makes the whole game so much easier for each teammate," said Harden. "He draws double teams. He's a great passer. He dominates the post and he can score it. He does everything."
The Lakers, meanwhile, are still without Bryant and own a 2-3 record. Steve Nash is still recovering from the lingering effects of breaking his leg last season, and it's been up to Pau Gasol to shoulder the team (14.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG).
