The Los Angeles Lakers (18-35) will play the high flying Houston Rockets (36-17) at the Staples Center tonight in Los Angeles, and they could find it tough to overcome the excellent Rockets even in front of their home crowd.

The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET and can be watched online through free live stream via the link provided below (free for subscribers to the NBA network).

Dwight Howard had an inconsistent 2012-13 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, underlined by injuries, internal disagreements and most importantly a first-round playoff exit.

Howard now plays for the Rockets. He ultimately turned down a lengthy extension offer from the Lakers, faces his previous squad in Los Angeles for the first time tonight when the Houston Rockets visit the Staples Center.

The All-Star center, who inked an $88 million contract with the Rockets in the offseason, has averaged at least 17.5 points and 11 rebounds in splitting two earlier games with the Lakers this season, both in Houston.

The Rockets came out of the All-Star break having a season-best seven-game winning streak. Howard has been the igniter during the streak, averaging 24.7 points on 60.0 percent shooting along with 12.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

However, The Lakers have been slumping recently at home, losing seven consecutive games and 13 of their last 15 home games at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles went winless on a three-game homestand before the All-Star break after losing by the final score of 107-103 versus the Thunder on Feb. 13 in spite of a solid game from Kendall Marshall. The point guard totaled 14 points and also tied a career best 17 assists and set a career high with seven rebounds.

However, the Lakers shot only 59.1 percent (13 of 22) at the free throw line, one of their poorest performances this season, and wasted a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Tonight's game will start at 10:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network or online through live stream by clicking here.