![Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets on January 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas - Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant Shoots Over Rockets Center Yao Ming and Forward Shane Battier](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbkNr2s1KtF4YXgZYiz_7PWLnyzDXvryGqU1Sd6ITqwBR1wRdL4Q3-LV7DPALn7XNl1zUsQgyOuoKEoD9IfGe9HWmLZPtiQhfAg2TG1gJoBf8Tqm0qJl-oSCBBy_NrGlnZlzfP6uLe1Jq/s200/Los+Angeles+Lakers+vs.+Houston+Rockets+on+January+13,+2009+-+Lakers+Guard+Kobe+Bryant+Shoots+Over+Rockets+Yao+Ming+and+Shane+Battier.jpg)
The Blot has been waiting for this day for a long time now. Last night (January 13th) Aly took me to the
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game as part of her present to me for our two year anniversary. As is typical whenever I go to the Toyota Center to watch a Houston Rockets game, I was wearing my brightest Lakers yellow. What’s annoying is that the Lakers only come in town twice a year and no matter which game I choose to go to they seem to lose.
![Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets on January 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas - Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant Celebrating the Lakers Regular Season Victory Over the Rockets](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmCYZ1cz-K8ktO7xLybD0pAeLiL-CNcZ9vwg54hdaVoF-FwF-Xt8dyK1plpewLIf0pzsClZONPo_DSqgIVY-oa1HxycIVX4KuLhPZp-Zctgh5xWcG0vmt_4Q1GR6x-A8mKdp2q6-ezqlb/s200/Los+Angeles+Lakers+vs.+Houston+Rockets+on+January+13,+2009+-+Lakers+Guard+Kobe+Bryant+Celebrating+the+Lakers+Victory+Over+The+Home+Team.jpg)
Of course many of you probably
remember the last Lakers game The Blot attended, it became known as the final win in the Rockets’ 22 game winning streak and The Blot never heard the end of it from the Rockets fans in attendance as Aly and I tried to escape from the stadium. Last night’s game was definitely not as rowdy as last year’s, but the outcome looked to be the same. The first half of the game was just ugly, and even though Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest sat out last night’s game due to injury the Lakers just could not put together a run. In fact they were losing or tied with the Rockets for most of the game. Thankfully with 4 minutes left Kobe finally took over and with 27 seconds left the Mamba sank a 3 pointer to seal the victory.
![Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets on January 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas - Rockets Center Yao Ming Battles For The Ball With Los Angeles Lakers Forwards Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU3t07kyDhsE1OgcplozaECiLVE_Sdn0PsUKoZdymBm8fB0mhn4bT5iYdNAJwPitCH7fb_Jq2QZLjsXkfjk4nV7yM7-i5xkfL1pAbomjSR2h_I6ffkj3IZZK9U0enQDBa5BPAjra5EbfQ/s400/Los+Angeles+Lakers+vs.+Houston+Rockets+on+January+13,+2009+-+Rockets+Center+Yao+Ming+Battling+For+The+Ball+With+Los+Angeles+Lakers+Trevor+Ariza+and+Lamar+Odom.jpg)
![Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets on January 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas - Rockets Guard Von Wafer and Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTijSbD7n2DMkEnk3cOzW29gmnsJhHIKBqWcwVjm3C3TmPN2pAmO9YPmdkl-foVUtmy91u4LEVaJXHHZgUw5YzMRVbBEIM5jxTb_EeFVKdlZicYSHXNiUgx4OP_nBpryo1u151bwNyGgXt/s200/Los+Angeles+Lakers+vs.+Houston+Rockets+on+January+13,+2009+-+Rockets+Guard+Von+Wafer+and+Lakers+Guard+Kobe+Bryant.jpg)
The most exciting part of the evening had to be when Dikembe Mutombo entered the game with 8 minutes left in the first half. The crowd erupted, giving a standing ovation to the 17 year veteran. Last night marked the first time the 42 year old (currently the oldest player in the Association) had played this season since deciding against retirement and signing on with the club on December 30th. The other highlight of the game had to be the play of 3rd year guard Von Wafer. This young guy played lights out, scoring 23 points against one of the premiere teams in the league. If the Rockets can keep their role players playing consistantly at such a high level they still have a shot even without T-Mac at being an elite team in the Western Conference this season.