The Lakers and the Rockets both consider each other as arch-rivals, and public opinion generally believes that the Rockets will rank between 5th to 7th in the West, while the Lakers will rank between 1st to 3rd. The two teams might encounter each other in the second round of the playoffs, so their encounters are naturally seen as potential matchups for the second or first round of the playoffs.
The match between the two teams is viewed as a playoff preview, with ABC TV and Time Warner Cable Sports, two national-level TV stations, choosing to broadcast this game live, attracting considerable attention.
On the evening of the 24th at 6:40, both teams entered the Houston Compaq Center.
