Kendrick Perkins believes that the Houston Rockets are more of a playoff threat than the Lakers due to their defense.

Lakers' Luka Doncic, Rockets' Alperen Sengun are both questionable to face each other in a prime-time Christmas Day matchup

The Los Angeles Lakers head into Christmas Day with uncertainty still hanging over several key rotation pieces as they prepare to face the Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets wing Dorian Finney-Smith has been upgraded on the injury report ahead of their Christmas game in LA.

The Lakers host the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day at 8:00 p.m. ET. This is one of the NBA’s marquee holiday games and Los Angeles is hoping to have Luka Doncic available. Doncic missed the Lakers’ loss to the LA Clippers after taking a knee to his left calf against the Clippers.

Shams Charania reported that Luka Doncic is expected to play against the Rockets and will also debut his new signature shoe.

The Los Angeles Lakers played without Luka Doncic on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, and it showed in the final score. With the Slovenian superstar sidelined with a leg injury, the Lakers suffered a 132-108 loss to the Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix,

Kevin Durant will be playing for the 13th time in his career on Christmas and first with the Rockets as Houston is at the Los Angeles Lakers.