LA Lakers vs Houston Rockets Preview, Live Stream Info, Where To Watch: Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin in Action

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets will collide for the first time since the Dwight Howard signing this season on Thursday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Thursday night's matchup will be Howard's first game against his former team since leaving the Lakers in favor of the Rockets via free agency during the offseason.

While the main storyline of the match is Howard's matchup with his former teammates, the superstar said that there's nothing to talk about regarding his decision, saying that everyone should move one.

"There's no need to talk about what the Lakers could have done. I made my decision and I'm living with it," said Howard in an interview as reported by NBA.com. "I'm happy where I'm at; I'm in a great place. Everybody should move forward. It's over with."

With Howard patrolling the paint, the Rockets are off to a great start with their 4-1 record. In their first five games this season, the superstar center averaged 17.4 points and 14.6 rebounds per game, allowing the Rockets to tally a 10.2-plus rebounding margin a game.

The Rockets are coming off a 116-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in which All-Star guard James Harden erupted for 33 points, while also adding seven rebounds and three assists.

On the other hand, the Lakers needs to regroup quickly if they want to have a chance against the much-improved Rockets.

The Lakers were dealt a humiliating 123-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday in a game where Howard's departure was felt greatly as they were outrebounded, 50-35, by the Mavs.

Pau Gasol, who is averaging 14.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season, was limited to just 10 points and eight boards against the Mavericks. Nick Young was the long bright spot, finishing with 21 points for the Lakers, who are still missing the services of injured superstar guard Kobe Bryant.

Where To Watch And Live Stream Info

The highly-anticipated showdown between the Rockets and the Lakers will start at 9:30 p.m. EST and will be nationally-televised by TNT. Live Stream is available through NBA League Pass and TNT Overtime. Complete box score and play-by-play info are provided by NBA.com.