On Wednesday night, the Rockets hosted Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers at home, and it was a great game for the Rockets. Not only did the Rockets win 102-77, a lot of guys played excellent basketball. The Rockets held the Lakers to just 34% shooting and they outrebounded LA 56-43, with a special thanks to Dikembe Mutombo.

Kobe Bryant struggled in the game, shooting just 6-18 and scoring just 20 points. Andrew Bynum had a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds. Smush Parker hit 3 of 4 from deep, as he went for 12 points and 3 rebounds. Luke Walton contributed 9 points and 6 assists, despite his 3-9 shooting. Maurice Evans shot just 4-12 off the bench, as he came up with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 helpers. Rookie point guard Jordan Farmar hit all 7 of his free throw attempts, as he scored 11 off the bench. Ronny Turiaf and Vladimir Radmanovic each went scoreless of the bench, but they combined for 12 rebounds (7 for Turiaf, 5 for Radmanovic).

Leading the scoring load for Houston tonight was Juwan Howard, who scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on 10-20 shooting. Howard has really stepped up lately. Rafer Alston shot just 8-19, but he hit 4 deep balls, as he scored 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished 4 assists. Tracy McGrady, who had six straight 30+ point performances in a row coming into this game, really struggled from the floor. McGrady shot just 4 of 16 and he only scored 8 points, but he did manage to move the ball around to rack up 12 assists. Dikembe Mutombo was an absolute animal on the glass once again, coming up with 19 rebounds as well as 5 blocks and 7 points. Shane Battier connected on 5 of 8 from deep, as he came up with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Luther Head and Chuck Hayes had strong games off the bench as well, as Head scored 12 points and dished 6 assists, while Hayes scored 6 and grabbed 7 boards.

Player of the Game: Dikembe Mutombo

7 points, 19 rebounds, 5 blocks

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