Lou Williams collected bets from Nick Young, still waiting from Metta World Peace

HOUSTON — The smile on Lou Williams’ face traced from two recent events.

The Houston Rockets (46-21) enter tonight’s game against the Lakers (20-47) at Toyota Center already with a clinched playoff spot. Williams also collected his previously unpaid bets from Lakers forward Nick Young, dues that had piled up from countless card games during Williams’ 1 1/2 seasons with the Lakers.

After the Lakers traded Williams to Houston on Feb. 21, Williams dismissed Young’s contention on Twitter that all debts were cleared since he went to a new team.

“I was a running joke,” Williams said. “I know Nick wants to give me a hard time.”

Williams is also giving Lakers veteran forward Metta World Peace a hard time.

“I expected Metta to pay me first. But I haven’t seen Metta,” Williams said. “I know they threw him in the game the other day. He might’ve been tired. I have to find him pregame.”

World Peace played in five minutes near the end of the first half of the Lakers’ 129-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday at Staples Center. In a game that prompted Lakers coach Luke Walton to raise his voice about his players’ effort, World Peace provided a rare jolt of energy with three points, two rebounds and an assist.

“He’s got his bones moving again, so he was probably getting some sleep,” Williams joked.


RELATED:

Rockets’ Daryl Morey believes Magic and Rob Pelinka “are well prepared” for new role

Lakers happy with Ivica Zubac’s growth in increased role

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has young players feeling encouraged

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mmedina@scng.com. Subscribe to the “We Want Tacos” Lakers podcast on iTunes.