The Lakers reserves outscored the Rockets bench, 55-26, in the season opener, but as with many things since then, the Rockets believe their second unit has improved markedly since losing in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have been the NBA's top scoring bench, averaging 53 points per game. The Rockets reserves average 35.2 to rank 14th. They have averaged 39.2 points off the bench in the 10 games since Eric Gordon returned to his sixth man role, ranking seventh in that stretch while going 8-2.
"Our bench takes pride in winning the second unit battles," Rockets forward Sam Dekker said.