Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott has claimed that Dwight Howard isn't as serious as Kobe Bryant about winning.

The Lakers host the Houston Rockets on the opening night of the season on Tuesday as Howard is set to come up against Bryant for the first time since leaving Los Angeles.

"My outside perspective is Kobe is a real serious guy and wants to win championships," Scott told reporters.

"I don't know if Dwight is that serious about it. I know No. 24 is. I think that probably was the clash."

Howard has faced the Lakers three times since leaving in July last year, but Bryant has missed all three match-ups due to injury.

However, the Lakers veteran insisted that the game on Tuesday night is no different than any other game that he will prepare for despite his history with Howard.