Opponent--Houston Rockets.Site--The Summit, Houston.Time--5 p.m.TV--Channel 9, TNT.Radio--KLAC...

Opponent--Houston Rockets.

Site--The Summit, Houston.

Time--5 p.m.

TV--Channel 9, TNT.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 4-2, Rockets 6-0.

Record vs. Rockets--(1995-96) 1-3.

Laker update--The rematch of last season’s first-round playoff matchup occurs with the Lakers yet to be involved in a game in which either team scores more than 100 points. They have lost seven of the last nine at the Summit, including the Game 4 that ended their 1995-96 season. This is already the Lakers’ third appearance on national television.

Rocket update--Their nice start includes four road victories. Matt Maloney, who spent last season in the CBA, is the starting point guard while Brent Price recovers from a broken elbow. Two other NBA rookies, Emanual Davis and Randy Livingston, are the backups. Charles Barkley is averaging only 13.8 points and shooting 41.2%, but in the last five games has taken down 18, 15, 12, 20 and 33 rebounds. Clyde Drexler is shooting 36.1%.