Tonight is the night for the Lakers to welcome its returning star, Kobe Bryant, from injury and to silence his critics. Live streaming details on TNT provided below.

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

What: Game 1 of the NBA Season

When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. E.T.

Where to Watch: Staples Center, TNT -- click here for live streaming.

The Match-up:

Bryant may have more years behind him than ahead of him, but the stories of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. He has a lot to prove this season, so expect him to come out with a lot of fire in his eyes.

Bryant also has a valuable new teammate in Jeremy Lin. They gelled well in the preseason, creating opportunities for each other many times over. Now is the time to see if all of it pays off when it really matters.

On the other side of the court, James Harden has emerged as a great scorer for his team. He has an element of explosiveness that makes him very dangerous in the drive and he has a knack for getting to the free-throw line as well. Harden may very well be the Rockets answer to Bryant so that may be where the final decision will come from, at least on paper.

X-Factor:

Lin and Bryant are the key for the Lakers. If they can establish a tandem on the court, then things can get very interesting very quickly. 

If the Rockets are maybe looking to free up Harden, they may put Trevor Ariza on Bryant allowing Harden to get free and take advantage of a less experienced player and get a better shot at putting points on the board.

Make no mistake about it: If the Bryant and Lin do not go, then the Lakers do not either. Lin has done a great job of stepping so far in the exhibition season.  Making a great first impression in the season opener is the first step if he wants this team to trust him in the top role.

Prediction:

The Rockets are going to have a better season than the Lakers, that is almost guaranteed. However, Los Angeles can perform at home with the lights on bright. One only has to look to last seasons Game 1 for an example of that when they beat the Clippers. Anything can happen in night 1, but expect the Lakers to at least get off on the right foot tonight.

Lakers win 97-92.