Each night, the Clarion will choose the top game on the NBA calendar and select a winner. Keep checking out our pick every day, and let us know what you think in our comment section below.
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
After an offseason that saw former Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and former Lakers forward Trevor Ariza sign with the Rockets, this game is sure to be exciting.
During the 2009 NBA Western Conference semifinals, the Rockets and the Lakers battled in a seven-game series where the Lakers moved on and eventually won the NBA Finals.
Even though, the Rockets are missing two of their best players due to injury – Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady – with Ariza and Battier the Rockets possess enough defensive power to slow down Kobe Bryant and Artest. The Lakers are still missing Pau Gasol and the Rockets big men (Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes) will definitely be able to control the paint on both ends of the court
Houston 92, Los Angeles (Lakers) 86