Six months ago, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Dillon Brooks and the Memphis Grizzlies in a surprise bid for the 2023 Western Conference playoffs.
Since then, Brooks switched to the Rockets. His excellent defense and fiery shooting percentage (59.3%, 56.5% from three-point range) played a key role in the Rockets’ three-game winning streak.
Part of Brooks’ defensive model has long involved an aggressive on-court mentality — and even after a poor playoff performance, Houston’s ace guard didn’t back down from anyone. That includes James, one of the best players in NBA history.
With James and the Lakers visiting Toyota Center on Wednesday night, Brooks said during Tuesday’s practice:
I’m ready to lock him up. He was shooting the ball well and playing well, so I just tired him out. Get him into the fourth quarter early.
Wednesday’s game between the Rockets (3-3) and Lakers (3-4) will be at 7:00 pm Central Time. A win would put Houston above .500 for the first time since early in the 2020-21 season.