Overview
- ESPN analyst and former teammate Kendrick Perkins said James’ body language in the Christmas Day loss was “awful” and argued the sides should part before season’s end.
- The Rockets beat the Lakers 119-96, piling up 68 points in the paint and winning the boards 48-25 with 17 offensive rebounds.
- James posted his worst plus-minus as a Laker in the defeat and left the floor quickly without postgame handshakes.
- Perkins pointed to agent Rich Paul’s recent comment that the Lakers are not title contenders as evidence of shared dissatisfaction.
- Redick said Saturday’s session will be an “uncomfortable” meeting focused on defense as Los Angeles slides to 19-10 with three straight losses; James is on an expiring $52.6 million deal with a no-trade clause after a sciatica-delayed start.