Chris Brown -- Roasted by Chris Rock and Matt Lauer on 'Today'

Chris Rock just whipped out his best off-the-cuff Chris Brown/domestic violence jokes on live TV -- and it all started with Matt Lauer's awkward, but hysterical, intro on NBC's "Today."

As Matt was coming back from commercial this morning ... he referenced the great weather outside, saying ... "We're hoping the same kind of weather hits us tomorrow when we've got Chris Brown out on the plaza."

Perfect time to cut to Chris Rock in studio -- "Did you say you hope the same weather HITS you? I hope some weather doesn't SMACK us upside the head."