Coming off their second loss of the month, the Los Angeles Lakers traveled to Toyota Center in the second of a three-game road trip against the Houston Rockets. On March 11, 2009, the two teams squared off in what would be a preview of the Western Conference semifinals.
The first quarter was a tightly-contested battle, as the Lakers and Rockets traded baskets and found themselves tied at 24 after the first 12 minutes of play.
Houston’s reserves would take control of the second quarter and outscore Los Angeles by 11 points — entering halftime with a lead of the same margin.