Rockets vs. Lakers Prediction
The home debut of LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers will happen tonight as they host the Houston Rockets. Will Los Angeles be able to bounce back with a win after suffering a road loss Thursday in its season opener?
Game Snapshot
519 Houston Rockets at 520 Los Angeles Lakers
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Staples Center at 10:35PM ET
TV: ESPN
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our NBA Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Rockets are a 3.5-point favorite to win on the spread line. The total is set at 234.5 points. As of Saturday morning, 55 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Houston. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Rockets hammered at home
The Houston Rockets had no answers at home against the Pelicans in their season opener Wednesday as they fell 131-112. Eric Gordon paced the Rockets off the bench with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go with three rebounds. Chris Paul contributed 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. P.J. Tucker had 19 points and two rebounds. James Harden recorded 18 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and three steals. Michael Carter-Williams added 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots off the bench.
LeBron records double-double in debut
In Thursday night’s 128-119 loss at Portland, LeBron James tallied 26 points plus 12 rebounds and six assists in his first regular season game with the Lakers. He shot 9-of-16 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Los Angeles was outscored 35-28 in the fourth quarter. Josh Hart had 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks off the bench. Brandon Ingram tallied 16 points, four rebonds, two steals and two blocks. Kyle Kuzma contributed 15 points and five boards off the bench. JaVale McGee put in 13 points to go with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 11 boards.
NBA Betting Trends
Houston
The under is 5-0 in the last five Rockets road games. Houston is 0-4 ATS in its last four games versus a team with a losing straight up record.
Los Angeles
The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games versus the Rockets. The over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
Prediction:
The Lakers were right in the game at Portland until the last five or so minutes and now at home, it’s hard to bet against LeBron as a dog in a much-hyped game. The Rockets showed their flaws defensively against New Orleans and I think LA can take advantage of it and record the victory or at least keep it within the number as the underdog.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS +3.5