NBA Opening Night: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Live Stream Info, Preview and Betting Odds

Kobe Bryant’s return from injury; Bryant and the Lakers versus ex-teammate Dwight Howard; and Jeremy Lin vs. former team Houston Rockets— those are just the few subplots in Tuesday’s Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets match-up as part of the trio of NBA games to tip-off the new 2014-2015 NBA Season.

Kobe Bryant, who missed all but six games last season, is returning for the first time since December 2013 and will face Howard backed by All-Star James Harden and the high-powered Houston offence. Right off the bat, the Lakers’ defence will be tested by the Rockets squad which averaged 107.7 points per game— virtually the cream of the crop of the top-scoring teams last season.

Bryant averaged 19.0 points and 4.0 assists in six Lakers preseason games but is expected to do more with the absence of legit scorers in the line-up. Asked to step up especially on offence is new acquisition Jeremy Lin, who by default grabbed the starting point guard spot after Steve Nash recently announced that he’ll miss the rest of the regular season, and perhaps, his career, with a nagging back injury.

The well-liked Asian-American player averaged 13.0 points and 5.2 assists for the last two years with the Rockets but was shipped anyway to the Lakers in the 2014 offseason. Lin will be facing defensive stalwart Patrick Beverley, who comes in as the Rockets’ starting PG.

Others who can contribute for the Lakers are Jordan Hill, Carlos Boozer and rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Ryan Kelly and Wayne Ellington are pegged to miss L.A.’s opening game with various injuries.

For the Rockets, Howard (18.3 PPG, 12.2 RPG and 1.8 BPG) and Harden (25.4 PPG and 6.1 APG) will be the focus on offence but the likes of Trevor Ariza, who was acquired via free agency in the offseason, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Beverley will help on offence.

The Lakers enter the match-up as just over 3-to-1 underdogs at home.

Betting Lines (via sportsbet.com.au)

Against the Spread (ATS): Houston Rockets (-7) vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Moneyline: Houston Rockets (1.38) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3.18)

Totals (Over/Under): 207.0

Betting Trends - Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

- Total has hit the Over, 7-1 in the last 8 meetings

- The favourite is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings

- Total has hit Over, 12-3 in the last 15 meetings

- Houston is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 games vs. L.A. Lakers

Watch 2014 NBA Opening Night: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers via NBA League Pass.