Kobe Bryant Dwight Howard Houston Rockets LA Lakers
Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard in action during their NBA game earlier this seasonReuters

Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant did not exactly see eye to eye in their first game of the NBA season late last month, and the two superstars will renew their rivalry again as the Houston Rockets host the LA Lakers at the Toyota Center on Wednesday.

Howard and Bryant don't enjoy the greatest of relationships, a relationship which soured during the former's one season with the Lakers. The center then opted out of signing a new contract with the Lakers, instead deciding to ink a deal with the Houston Rockets, who have enjoyed plenty of success over Howard's former team since then.

Houston will target a fifth straight victory over the Lakers – their best all-time record is six consecutive wins – as they also look to bounce back from a 119-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

The Houston Rockets will need to sort out their turnover problems if they are to prevent the LA Lakers from picking up their second consecutive win of the season, after Kevin McHale's side ended with 21 turnovers in the loss to Memphis.

"Our offense disintegrated and it turned into offense for them," McHale was quoted as saying by Houston's official website.

"When we made mistakes, they capitalized on them. Take no credit away from them, they just straight beat us. That's the truth," added Trevor Ariza.

A win over the Lakers (2-9) will help the Rockets put that loss to the Grizzlies, only their second of this NBA season, behind them.

"That's the good thing about this, it is only one loss," Jason Terry said. "Now we will take it out on the Lakers, but we won't forget this one. This will still be in our heads."

Houston will have to curb Bryant from scoring, though, after the Lakers legend found his scoring groove in the last couple of games. Kobe had a season-high 44 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, before firing in 28 points, on 10 of 18 shooting, to help LA to victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.

Plenty of attention will also be on Jeremy Lin, returning to Houston after being dealt to the Lakers in the offseason.

Lin played two seasons with the Rockets, two seasons which just did not do enough to convince the management that the hugely popular guard's future was indeed in Houston.

In the first game of the season between the two teams, a game which ended 108-90 to the Houston Rockets, Lin struggled, finishing with just six points and seven assists, while giving away four turnovers.

Lin will hope for a better outing, and result, on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Live

The game is scheduled for a 9.30 pm ET (7 am IST, 1.30 am GMT) start with live coverage in India on Sony Six. The game can also be watched via live streaming online on LivSports. Catch the action in the US on ESPN, and viewers can also live stream the game on Watch ESPN.

BT Sport is the place to be to watch the game in the UK, while audience can also catch the match live online on Watch BT Sport.

International viewers can live stream all the action on NBA.com.