Preview: Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

The Lakers are set to open the season Tuesday night, hosting the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

The Rockets (54-28) doubled the Lakers’ win total last season, after plucking center Dwight Howard from Los Angeles in free agency. Kobe Bryant, out with Achilles and knee injuries, didn’t get a chance to play against Howard through the 2013-14 season.

Over the summer, Houston sent Jeremy Lin to the Lakers, along with a first-round draft pick to make sure Lin’s salary was removed from the Rockets’ books.

Bryant and Lin badly want to beat the Rockets -- but do the Lakers have the roster to pull it off?

Ronnie Price may sit out with a knee injury. The Lakers will also be without Nick Young (thumb), Xavier Henry (knee), Wayne Ellington (concussion), Ryan Kelly (hamstring) and Steve Nash (back).

Key matchup

James Harden has emerged as one of the top shooting guards in the league. Though he’s not much of a defender, Harden is a dangerous scorer -- with a gift for getting to the free-throw line.

Bryant is looking to restore his position as the top two-guard in the league, but at age 36 and after losing a year to injury, he has a lot to prove.

If Bryant is the Lakers’ greatest strength offensively, and he’s matched by Harden, the game will be decided by the rest of the players on the floor.

With Howard in the middle for Houston, the task won’t be an easy one for the Lakers, who will counter with centers Jordan Hill, Ed Davis and Robert Sacre -- along with Carlos Boozer and Julius Randle at power forward.

X-factor

With so many guards out, the Lakers are going to need to rely heavily on Bryant and Lin. Rookie guard Jordan Clarkson will back up Lin at the one if Price is unable to play.

Lin had a strong preseason, primarily playing with the second unit, which was in desperate need of the point guard’s playmaking. Clarkson has been groomed as a shooting guard through the exhibition season.

The Rockets will likely turn to former Lakers forward Trevor Ariza to defend against Bryant, freeing up Harden by putting him against a lesser threat, such as Wesley Johnson.

Patrick Beverley is a strong, on-the-ball defender with experience practicing against Lin.

If Houston can slow Bryant and/or Lin, the Lakers will have a difficult time scoring.

Outlook

The Rockets will have a better season than the Lakers this year, but emotion can play a major role in a single game.

Howard can be foul-prone and if he struggles staying on the floor, the Lakers may be able to upset Houston on opening night.

The Lakers defeated the Clippers on opening night last year, playing one of their best games of the season.

They’ll need a similar performance to beat the Rockets.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus