Anytime the Los Angeles Lakers come to town, it's an event. Even if the Houston Rockets are 5-12 and struggling to envision a .500 finish, let alone remember the preseason thoughts that they could be a dark horse Western Conference contender.

Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson and the rest of LA's traveling stars are the show as the Rockets' misery becomes secondary for at least a night. The Lakers (13-5) are riding a three-game losing streak and still they hold one of the best records in the league and with the Miami Heat threatening to implode are clear title favorites — again. It seems like a long time since the Rockets almost upset Kobe and Company on opening night in LA.

Yao Ming is out, Aaron Brooks is out and Kevin Martin will have to put up a ton of points for Houston to win its second straight over a West contender (Kevin Durant missed at the buzzer as the Rockets beat Oklahoma City Sunday night).