Two NBA legends square off in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, as the No. 5 Houston Rockets hit the road to play the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA wires experts at the USA Today network give their prediction for the upcoming Lakers versus Rockets playoff series.

The availability of Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant is up in the air the day before his team's playoff opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Durant's concerning injury status against the Lakers could make things worse for the Rockets' playoff opener against the Lakers.

The Houston Rockets have plenty that can be expected to go their way in the series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant have a playoff duel for the fourth time ever and the first time outside the NBA Finals. Here's what to know.

Just about everyone agrees that the Rockets are strong favorites to win this series, if for no other reason than the fact that the Lakers are crippled as if the basketball gods shot them in the legs. But nothing is certain in the world of the NBA, and upsets, not to mention strange things, can happen.

Kevin Durant is on the verge of NBA playoff history before the Houston Rockets' postseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets will have to pay special attention to the rim defensively to slow down the Lakers.