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Rockets Host Thunder At Toyota Center

(Sports Network) - A pair of teams coming off hard-fought overtime losses to the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers hook up in south Texas Friday when Houston plays host to Oklahoma City at Toyota Center.

The Rockets have dominated the Thunder franchise recently, winning 10 straight overall and eight consecutive in Houston.

Kobe Bryant poured in 31 points on Tuesday and hit the go-ahead jumper in overtime, lifting the Lakers to a 101-98 victory over the Thunder at the Ford Center.

Kevin Durant led the way with 28 points for the Thunder, but he missed all five of his shots after the third quarter. Jeff Green ended with 18 points, while Thabo Sefolosha and Russell Westbrook each scored 12 in defeat.

Bryant then carried the Lakers on his back Wednesday with 41 points and six rebounds, but it was Andrew Bynum's foul shots late in overtime that gave Los Angeles a 103-102 victory over the Rockets. Bynum, who hit 3-of-4 at the line inside 44.2 seconds left in OT, had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers.

Luis Scola tallied 16 points and 13 boards for the Rockets, who had a three- game winning streak snapped. Carl Landry had 20 points and eight boards off the bench.

Trevor Ariza ended with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists versus his former club, while Aaron Brooks finished with 15 points and six helpers. Shane Battier and Charles Hayes each added 14 points. Hayes also had 14 rebounds.

"We really stopped attacking. We have to be an attacking team and tried to just go into isolation mode and run pick and roll. We are at our best when we are in the open court attacking, taking 3's, attacking the basket and we sort of got away from that and we have to do that every night no matter who we are playing," Battier said.

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