Pau Gasol will sit out with a sprained left ankle when the Rockets play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday for first place in the Western Conference. Gasol was injured in Friday's loss to New Orleans and left the arena on crutches. This is really good for the Houston Rockets who look to win there 22nd straight game. However I think the streak will come to an end.

Kobe Bryant really lives to play in these types of big games. He can determine the outcome of the game by himself, he is that talented. Another good matchup will be between Shane Battier and Lamar Odom. It will be interesting who gets the upper between the two. My final pick is the Lakers winning by at least 5 points.