While the Rockets were taking inventory of who wouldn't play, a list that included Yao, Tracy McGrady and Dikembe Mutombo, the Lakers had no such issues.
Derek Fisher returns today after a one-game suspension for cracking Rockets forward Luis Scola, though he still isn't ready to discuss it.
He declined to talk to reporters for a second consecutive day, an unusual action for one of the team's most media-friendly players, though he did send out 17 pro-Lakers messages on Twitter during Game 3, so it wasn't hard to guess what he would have said if he talked Saturday.
His Game 3 replacement, Jordan Farmar, played a solid game -- 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds -- but Jackson shooed away any thought of Fisher losing his starting spot despite some analysts' observations that it might benefit the Lakers in this series.
"[Fisher's] activity may not be as athletic as Jordan's can be at times, but his strength, his ability to strip and get in there and wrestle with the big guys was sorely missed," Jackson said.
The Lakers have an opportunity today with a full and healthy roster. The Rockets only wished they could say the same.
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Odom showed 'em
In his second game back in the starting lineup, Lamar Odom had 16 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3. He made seven of 11 shots, including both three-point attempts.
"I got open looks and was able to get involved in everything early and stay close to the basket," he said. "That's what I expect of myself."
Gasol, on the other hand, had only 13 points on four-for-11 shooting and six rebounds.
"He's such a great player and so versatile, sometimes I don't think he knows how good he is," Kobe Bryant said. "He tends to forget sometimes, so you've got to remind him what a great player he is. He's been that one-two punch that we haven't had here since Shaq was here."
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Moving up
In Game 3, Bryant passed Larry Bird for sixth on the NBA career playoff scoring list, finishing the night with 3,926 playoff points.
Bryant is averaging 29.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and five assists a game in this season's playoffs.
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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
broderick.turner@latimes.com
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NBA Playoffs
LAKERS AT HOUSTON
GAME 4 -- TODAY
Lakers lead series, 2-1
at the Toyota Center
12:30 p.m. PDT, Channel 7
