Bodog Beat

The Houston Rockets hope a return home can help them improve to 12-2 since losing Tracy McGrady when they host the slumping Los Angeles Lakers tonight. (AP Images)

Ron Artest has been instrumental in spurring the Rockets' impressive run, averaging a team-high 20.4 points while shooting 48.5 percent in starting all 13 games for McGrady. Prior to the stretch, Artest averaged 15.8 points on 38.4 percent from the floor in 39 games.

The Rockets have dropped both of this season's matchups against the Lakers, including a 105-100 loss at the Toyota Center on Jan. 13. Artest missed that game with a sprained right ankle.

The Lakers have dropped three of their last five and are 1-4 ATS during that skid.

Kobe Bryant is looking to rebound from a sub-par shooting performance against Portland and is averaging 34.7 points over the last six games against the Rockets. Get all your NBA basketball lines in the Bodog Sportsbook.