In a matchup that will feature the official debut of new coach Mike D'Antoni, the Los Angeles Lakers (5-5) will look to surpass the .500 mark when they take on the red-hot Brooklyn Nets (6-2).

Nearly a Net himself, the Lakers' Dwight Howard will attempt to lead his new team to a season-best third straight win. However, he'll have to do it by putting a stop to a surging Brooklyn club, who is currently sporting their longest winning streak in seven seasons.

The newly hired D'Antoni was originally expected to first take the sidelines on Sunday against the Houston Rockets, but his wife and team trainer Gary Vitti persuaded him to wait it out a bit longer to continue recovering from knee replacement surgery.

"Knee replacement is some serious stuff. We just want him to take his time," said Kobe Bryant, according to ESPN.

Nonetheless, the former New York Knicks coach has closely watched the last two matchups from the Lakers' locker room while receiving treatment on his knee. D'Antoni has also been in communication with his team prior to the games and at halftime.

Interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who has aided Los Angeles to a 4-1 record since temporarily filling in for the fired Mike Brown, will stay on board as an assistant on the new coaching staff.

The Lakers have shown immense improvement under D'Antoni's rapid-paced on-court style. The team has averaged 116.5 points in back-to-back victories despite the absence of star point guard Steve Nash, who is currently out of action with a small fracture in his leg.

"The coaching staff is communicating extremely well in terms of things that they want to see us execute. We're doing a good job reading the defense and moving the ball around. We're shooting pretty well. ... (D'Antoni) just lets us go out there and play," stated Bryant.

CLICK HERE to watch the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Brooklyn Nets via free live stream. Coverage of the game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

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NBA, Los angeles lakers