Sports World: 02/01/11

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes Live Streaming NHL Online

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes Live | Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes | Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes Streaming | Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes NHL Live Stream | Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes Live Webcast

7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Hurricanes have surged into the playoff chase by going 10-4-2 in their last 16 games, capped by a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders on Wednesday. Carolina went 6-1-1 at home in January, but the lone regulation loss came to the Bruins. While Staal has nine goals and nine assists in his last 16 games, he was held to one assist in two games against Boston, often shadowed by Chara. The 6-foot-9 Chara broke his own record for the hardest shot in Saturday’s skills competition, blasting a 105.9 mph slapper at the RBC Center. He had his first career hat trick Jan. 17 against Carolina, while Milan Lucic scored the game-winner against the Hurricanes the next night.

Although Staal scored twice on Boston’s Tim Thomas in the third period, he ended up with the familiar feeling of watching Thomas get the victory. The Hurricanes got only two of their 76 shots past Thomas in back-to-back losses to the Bruins on Jan. 17 and 18. One day after Thomas notched his seventh shutout in a 7-0 home rout, he made a season-high 43 saves in a 3-2 victory in Raleigh. Beating the Boston Bruins would be a good start. Two weeks after the Bruins finished a home-and-home sweep of Carolina, they’ll be back in Raleigh on Tuesday night hoping to emerge from the All-Star break with another victory. Staal picked one of the teams for Sunday’s event at the RBC Center, selecting Boston captain Zdeno Chara in the fourth round, but Team Staal lost to Nicklas Lidstrom’s group 11-10.

Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Live Streaming NHL Online

Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Live | Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils | Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Streaming | Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils NHL Live Stream | Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils Live Webcast

7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Ottawa appears to be on a similar track with New Jersey in missing the playoffs, though it will be the second time in three years for the Senators. Unlike the Devils, Ottawa staggered into the mid-season break by going 1-6-3 and dropped into last place in the Northeast Division. The Senators did salvage a point last Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Buffalo, and defenseman Sergei Gonchar ended the team’s eight-game drought without a power-play goal with the tying score in the third period.

Since the 1993-94 season, the 2008-09 St. Louis Blues are the only team to reach the playoffs from last place in a conference at the All-Star break, and they only had to overcome a nine-point gap. Ottawa is hoping the change of venue may change some fortunes. The Senators have lost seven straight at home and goaltender Brian Elliott is 0-7-4 since beating Pittsburgh on Dec. 26. The Senators won the only meeting between these teams this season 3-2 on Dec. 10 as All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist. Kovalchuk assisted on both goals for New Jersey, which went 2 for 3 with the man advantage.

New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers Live Streaming NHL Online

New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers Live | New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers | New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers Streaming | New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers NHL Live Stream | New York Islanders vs Atlanta Thrashers Live Webcast

7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

New York has shown some improvement since that loss, which dropped the team to 5-17-5, but the Islanders still have the second-worst record in the NHL and went into the break on another losing streak. New York was held to two or fewer goals in four of its final six games before the break. However, Michael Grabner has nine points in the last eight games, including six goals. Grabner had a goal in the overtime loss at Atlanta in November. New York has lost three straight and five of six, including a 4-2 loss to Carolina on Wednesday.

The Thrashers’ recent slide has dropped them into eighth place in the conference - one point ahead of Carolina - and 10 points behind division-leading Tampa Bay. They did get some momentum before the break with a 1-0 win over Washington last Wednesday. Atlanta Thrashers were struggling in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break, but they have a good opportunity to get their second-half playoff push off to a promising start in their first game back. The Thrashers go for their third win in as many tries this season against the lowly New York Islanders when the teams meet Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Atlanta was in third place in the Eastern Conference and leading the Southeast Division with 43 points on Dec. 20, but it has picked up just five wins in 17 games since and two victories in the last nine.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Live Streaming NHL Online

Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Live | Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets | Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Streaming | Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Live Stream | Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Live Webcast

7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Columbus won 8-3 over Chicago on March 25 but has given up a combined 15 goals in the three losses. Mathieu Garon has a 4.42 goals-against average in four straight defeats to the Blackhawks, while Steve Mason is 3-1-0 in his last four matchups despite a 3.02 GAA. In his only game against the Blue Jackets, Chicago starter Corey Crawford was outdueled by Mason in a 3-2 loss at the United Center on Oct. 23. Marty Turco has a 1.50 GAA in two wins over Columbus this season and a 1.26 mark in his past four matchups. The Blackhawks have earned at least one point in three straight road games.

Chicago can get that postseason hunt off to a strong start by winning the opener of a six-game road trip Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews had a goal and two assists in an 11-10 win Sunday for Team Lidstrom, which included teammates Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith. Leading goal scorer Patrick Sharp, who matched Toews’ output, was named the game’s MVP while playing for Team Staal. Chicago Blackhawks are hoping a memorable All-Star weekend will give them a boost in a competitive Western Conference playoff race. Heading into their final 32 games, the Blackhawks are tied for seventh in the West with San Jose and Colorado. Minnesota and Los Angeles are a point behind that group, and Columbus, tied for 13th, is five back.

Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Live Streaming NHL Online

Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Live | Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs | Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Streaming | Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Live Stream | Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Live Webcast

7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Kessel put six shots on net but failed to convert last Tuesday, when the Leafs fell 2-0 at Tampa Bay for their eighth shutout loss of the season. Kessel had a goal in Toronto’s 3-1 home victory over the Panthers on Oct. 26, when Jean-Sebastian Giguere stopped 21 shots to earn the win. Florida returned the favor Nov. 10, beating the Maple Leafs 4-1 at home behind Tomas Vokoun’s 32-save effort. Vokoun is 8-3-2 with a 2.07 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in his career versus Toronto. The veteran netminder gave a valiant performance with 33 saves in his team’s final game before the break, but got outdueled by Bruins All-Star Tim Thomas in a 2-1 loss at Boston last Wednesday.

While the Panthers didn’t have an All-Star this season, the Maple Leafs had the final player selected in the first NHL All-Star fantasy draft. As a reward for waiting, Kessel received a new car, $20,000 to donate to a cancer charity and a large number of text messages from his Toronto teammates. Toronto and Florida will each seek an improved second half beginning Tuesday night, when they face off against each other at the Air Canada Centre. It’s been seven years since the Maple Leafs appeared in the postseason, while Florida hasn’t taken the ice for a playoff game since 2000. Neither drought appears likely to end in 2010-11, with the Panthers eight points out of a playoff spot and Toronto six points further back.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live Streaming NHL Online

Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live | Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning | Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Streaming | Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Live Stream | Philadelphia Flyers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live Webcast

7:30 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Tampa Bay won its last five games heading into the break to put itself four points ahead of Washington in the Southeast, and it’s two games into a 12-game homestand - where it’s 16-4-2. Simon Gagne scored twice in a 7-1 win over Atlanta on Jan. 23, then Dwayne Roloson made 26 saves in a 2-0 win over Toronto last Tuesday. What’s most amazing is how they’re doing it. Tampa Bay is 16-3-5 in one-goal games, making up for having surrendered more goals than it’s scored. Despite often struggling on the back end in the season’s first two months, the Lightning are getting better. They’ve given up one goal or fewer in 11 of their last 21 games, and five of those have occurred in the 10 games Roloson’s started since he was acquired Jan. 1. Roloson is 4-1-0 with a 1.61 goals-against average and two shutouts at home.

Philadelphia stumbled out of the gate at 3-4-1, but has since been the East’s most consistent team. The Flyers immediately followed that start with a 9-0-1 stretch, and they kicked off January with eight wins in their first nine games. They went into the break on a high note as well. Philadelphia avenged its finals loss with a 4-1 win at Chicago on Jan. 23, then scored three power-play goals in a 5-2 victory over Montreal last Tuesday to pace the East with 71 points. With two more wins than Vancouver, which also has 71 points, the Flyers lead the Presidents’ Trophy race after 50 games for the first time since 1986-87.

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Live Streaming NHL Online

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Live | Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals | Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Streaming | Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals NHL Live Stream | Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals Live Webcast

7:30 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Washington’s Semyon Varlamov had 25 saves in that game. While he has lost four straight starts, Varlamov is 4-3-2 with a 1.73 goals-against average since Christmas.
After trading away Capitals nemesis Jaroslav Halak over the summer, Montreal has relied heavily on goaltender Carey Price all season. Price is tied for second in the NHL with 24 wins and ninth with a 2.36 GAA, but he’s 2-3-3 with a 3.44 GAA in his career against Washington, including postseason. Price and the Canadiens entered the All-Star break on a sour note after last Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at Philadelphia, but they’re still 7-2-3 in their last 12 to stay in playoff position and within striking distance of Northeast Division-leading Boston.

Washington may have Alexander Semin back in the lineup for the first time since Jan. 8. Semin, who scored 40 goals last season but hasn’t found the net since Nov. 28, signed a one-year contract extension Thursday. Washington’s offensive struggles can, by some measure, be traced back to the Canadiens. After leading the NHL in scoring by a wide margin during the 2009-10 regular season, the top-seeded Capitals lost to Montreal in the first round of the playoffs, scoring one goal in each of the final three games to squander a 3-1 series lead. Washington Capitals, however, weren’t expecting to occupy the same position in the Southeast Division.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Live Streaming NHL Online

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Live | Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Streaming | Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers NHL Live Stream | Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Live Webcast

7:30 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Rangers will begin the second half without leading scorer Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko and Erik Christensen, but they will get one key offensive contributor back. Callahan returns after missing 19 games with a broken left hand suffered Dec. 15 at Pittsburgh while blocking a shot from Kris Letang. That game, which the Rangers won 4-1 despite trailing after 40 minutes, also featured an apparent slew foot on Callahan from Crosby that went unpenalized - an act Dubinsky called a dirty play. Girardi will also return after missing two games with a rib injury, and the Rangers will be glad to see the defenseman back. After winning shootouts at Atlanta and Washington, New York fell 4-3 to Florida at home Tuesday despite allowing only 17 shots - one in the third period.

Pittsburgh hasn’t won five straight at MSG since Dec. 31, 1989-March 17, 1991, but it should feel confident in its ability to find secondary scoring. Chris Conner and Mike Rupp, who have combined for 10 goals this season, have seven during the four-game streak at New York. Pittsburgh had four players voted into the NHL All-Star game, but Crosby and Malkin missed the midseason showcase. Those absences figure to be critical against the Rangers considering the duo has combined for four goals and six assists in the Penguins’ four consecutive victories at MSG, but Pittsburgh has discovered the way to win without them - don’t allow goals.

Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues Live Streaming NHL Online

Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues Live | Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues Streaming | Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues NHL Live Stream | Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues Live Webcast

8:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Blues have experienced their share of injuries as well with forwards Andy McDonald and David Perron still recovering from concussions. Both players, though, have passed their initial baseline tests and could return soon. Carlo Colaiacovo also hurt his eye when he was hit by a puck last week and Barret Jackman is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. St. Louis hasn’t dealt well with those ailments as it’s 2-8-2 in the new year. A 4-1 loss at Calgary on Wednesday night was the Blues’ fourth straight, one away from matching their worst skid this season.

The Avalanche, though, have posted a 31-14 scoring advantage in their win streak over St. Louis. Peter Budaj recorded one of his nine career shutouts Dec. 7, 2009, in St. Louis and has a 2.25 goals-against average in four straight wins over the Blues. Craig Anderson is 4-1-0 with a 2.95 GAA in six career matchups. With Ty Conklin having started against Calgary, St. Louis might turn to Jaroslav Halak, but he has a 5.08 GAA in the two meetings with the Avalanche this season. Colorado is tied for seventh in the West with Chicago and San Jose, but is 6-9-2 since winning a season-high six straight. The Avalanche earned one of those wins over Vancouver on Jan. 18 to open a five-game homestand but lost three of the next four.

Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators Live Streaming NHL Online

Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators Live | Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators | Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators Streaming | Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators NHL Live Stream | Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators Live Webcast

8:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Predators have dropped consecutive games since a 10-2-0 stretch. They fell 2-1 at Vancouver on Wednesday to complete a six-game road trip, getting outshot 17-7 in the third period. Weber has a team-high 30 points but just one in his last eight games against Calgary. Nashville is 2-7-1 against Calgary since the start of 2008-09 and has produced one power-play goal in its last 31 chances in the series. The Predators have the league’s third-worst power play at 13.8 percent.

Calgary moved out of 14th with a 3-1 victory over Nashville last Monday and also won 4-1 over St. Louis on Wednesday. Miikka Kiprusoff has posted a 1.62 goals-against average in winning his last three starts after being pulled early in two of his previous four. Calgary Flames are hoping the All-Star break hasn’t slowed the momentum they have built in getting back into contention in the Western Conference playoff race. They’ll try for their first five-game win streak of the season Tuesday night when they look for a sixth straight road victory over the Nashville Predators. Calgary was mired in 14th place in the West for a 37-day stretch before taking the final two games of this run. The Flames are now 12th but only two points out of the final two spots.

Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Live Streaming NHL Online

Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Live | Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild | Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Streaming | Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild NHL Live Stream | Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild Live Webcast

8:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Wild won four of five prior to the All-Star break and are currently tied with the Kings, but must play better at home. The Wild are 4-6-1 at the Xcel Energy Center since the start of December, and 11-11-2 on the season. They had 12 regulation losses at home in all of 2009-10. “We’ve been a really strong team at home in our building. This year it’s been the other way around,” Niklas Backstrom said after making 31 saves in last Tuesday’s 4-2 victory at Chicago. “We want to be better at home.” Backstrom stopped 32 shots in the October loss to the Kings.

Los Angeles didn’t take full advantage of that stretch, losing 10 of 12 before rallying to beat Phoenix, Boston and San Jose to move within one point of the eighth-place Sharks in the Western Conference. Kings embark on a season-high 10-game trip Tuesday night when they visit a Minnesota Wild team that also went into the break playing some of its best hockey. Los Angeles Kings entered the All-Star break on a positive note, reeling off three straight wins. Alexei Ponikarovsky tied Wednesday’s eventual 3-2 shootout victory over San Jose with a goal in the third period, setting the stage for Jarret Stoll to score the only goal of the tiebreaker.

Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Live Streaming NHL Online

Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Live | Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars | Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Streaming | Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars NHL Live Stream | Vancouver Canucks vs Dallas Stars Live Webcast

8:30 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Canucks goalie improved to 12-0-5 with a 1.94 GAA in his last 17 starts with 26 saves last Wednesday in a 2-1 home win over Nashville. The Canucks have gone 3 for 6 on the power play in both wins over the Stars this season, 4-1 on Dec. 31 and 7-1 last Monday. Six different players scored on the power play in those games for Vancouver, third in the league at 23.5 percent. Luongo made 25 saves in last week’s win, improving to 7-0-0 with a 2.12 goals-against average in his last seven starts against the Stars. He hasn’t lost to them in regulation in his last 12 starts, going 10-0-2 with a 1.87 GAA in that span.

The Stars are hoping that Loui Eriksson will avoid being held without a point for the fourth straight game for the first time since Feb. 21-28, 2009. Eriksson is second on the team with 49 points. Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars lead their respective divisions, but their matchups have not been close this season. It’ll be that much harder for Dallas if it has to face Roberto Luongo, who has won his last seven starts against the Stars and hasn’t lost in regulation since Dec. 5. The Canucks will try to make it five in a row over the Stars and three straight this season when the teams meet Tuesday night in Dallas. Vancouver is tied for the NHL lead with 71 points to top the Northwest Division while Dallas has 65 points for first place in the Pacific.

Phoenix Coyotes vs San Jose Sharks Live Streaming NHL Online

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10:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Phoenix has not been able to employ that formula during an 0-3-3 stretch against San Jose, which has gone 6 of 24 on the power play in that span. Veteran center Joe Thornton has two goals and three assists, and Antti Niemi has posted a 1.50 goals-against average in two wins over the Coyotes this season. Niemi has a 1.94 GAA during a 4-0-1 stretch for San Jose, which had a four-game win streak snapped with Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout loss at Los Angeles.

Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, the team’s lone All-Star, enters with the longest current point streak in the NHL at nine games. Yandle, ironically, was one of the few skaters not to register a point in Sunday’s 11-10 All-Star game. Phoenix right wing Lee Stempniak has five goals and six assists during a seven-game run. He believes the team’s mentality on the road is the key to its strong play.Backup Jason LaBarbera has made 12 of his 13 starts on the road. He’s posted a 2.78 GAA in losing his last four starts to the Sharks, including 4-1 in San Jose on Dec. 23. Phoenix has lost three straight and 10 of 13 at HP Pavilion.

Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Online

Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets Live | Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets | Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets Streaming | Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets NBA Live Stream | Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Hornets Live Webcast

8:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

Washington has lost all 24 of its road games, the third-worst start away from home in NBA history. Dallas holds the record, dropping its first 29 on the road in 1992-93. New Orleans, which hasn’t dropped three straight games since Dec. 10-13, appears likely to avoid another such skid with the Wizards coming to town. The Hornets have the league’s fifth-best home record at 19-5, and are 10-1 against Eastern Conference teams at the New Orleans Arena. They’ve won their last five there overall, including victories over NBA-best San Antonio, and fellow contenders Oklahoma City and Orlando.

Okafor, sixth in the league in rebounding at 10.1 per game, left Saturday’s 104-102 loss to Phoenix just before halftime with a strained oblique muscle. Okafor, who had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the Hornets’ 92-81 win at Washington on New Year’s Day, has been ruled out for this contest, ending his consecutive games streak at 306. After back-to-back road losses, the Hornets look to get back on track Tuesday night against the Wizards, who are inching closer to the worst road start in NBA history. The Hornets yielded 42 points in the paint and allowed Phoenix backup center Marcin Gortat to score a career-high 25.

Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings Live Streaming NBA Online

Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings Live | Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings | Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings Streaming | Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings NBA Live Stream | Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings Live Webcast

10:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Celtics made 9 of 17 3-pointers against Los Angeles after shooting 7 of 35 from beyond the arc in the first two stops on their trip. Sacramento, playing without guard Tyreke Evans, didn’t have much luck guarding Boston’s shooters when it visited TD Garden on Jan. 12. The Celtics shot 52.1 percent overall - hitting a season-high 12 of 20 3-pointers - in a 119-95 rout, their seventh consecutive win in the series. Nate Robinson and Ray Allen hit four 3s apiece in that win. When Allen has hit three or more from beyond the arc - as he did in scoring 21 against the Lakers - Boston is 19-1.

Kings will have Evans back to deal with Rajon Rondo in this meeting, but Cousins might have to do some extra work in the paint. Power forward Jason Thompson left Saturday’s win with a sprained ankle and was in a walking boot after the game, leaving his status for Tuesday in doubt. Boston is shooting 50.1 percent from the field - nearly 3.0 better than the league’s second-best team - so it was stunning to see the Eastern Conference’s top squad struggle Friday against defensively challenged Phoenix.

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Online

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Live | San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers | San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Streaming | San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Live Stream | San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Webcast

10:00 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

San Antonio is allowing opponents to average 99.9 points on the road compared to 94.7 at home. In its last two road games - both wins - it gave up more than 100 points. The recent meetings between San Antonio and Portland have been defensive battles with neither team cracking 100 points in the last five contests. The Spurs haven’t reached the century mark against the Blazers since a 100-79 victory Dec. 2, 2007, a span of nine games. However, it’s Portland that has struggled offensively its last two games, losing 96-81 to Sacramento on Jan. 24 and falling 88-78 to Boston on Thursday. The Blazers have shot 38.1 percent in those games.

San Antonio also begins the stretch after an impressive 108-95 win over Houston on Saturday. Manu Ginobili scored 22 points while DeJuan Blair added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Every Spurs starter scored in double figures. Spurs look to snap a four-game losing streak in Portland on Tuesday night when they visit the Trail Blazers, who will be trying to avoid their first three-game home skid in nearly three years. While San Antonio typically uses this annual road trip, which occurs when the rodeo takes over the AT&T Center, to work out problems, there aren’t many visible weaknesses with the Spurs. They have won three straight and 11 of 12 while reaching 40 victories in the fewest games in franchise history.

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Online

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live | Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers | Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Streaming | Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Live Stream | Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast

10:30 pm EST Tue Feb 1, 2011

The Lakers lost at home to Sacramento on Friday. They have also fallen to losing teams Milwaukee and Indiana at Staples Center this season, as well as middling Memphis. They’re 18-7 at home, matching their loss total at Staples from all of 2009-10. Los Angeles is now 1-5 against top contenders Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Antonio and Dallas, but has also had its share of problems with several beatable opponents.

The Lakers also had trouble against the Rockets in their Oct. 26 season opener, needing a 27-foot 3-pointer from Steve Blake with 19 seconds remaining to win 112-110. Bryant scored 27 points in each game for Los Angeles, which has won eight of the last 10 in the series. Houston’s Kevin Martin totaled 48 points in this season’s first two meetings with the Lakers, but finished with 10 points while shooting 4 of 13 from the field in Saturday’s 108-95 loss to the Spurs.

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