Lakers vs. Rockets Game 3, 9/8/20 NBA Playoffs Betting Predictions

Lakers vs. Rockets Game 3 Prediction

After tying their series with the Rockets in Game 2, the Lakers will attempt to take a 2-1 lead tonight when they take on Houston again at 9:00 p.m. ET from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Will LeBron and Co. cover as a 5-point favorite?

Game Snapshot

707 Los Angeles Lakers (-5) at 708 Houston Rockets (+5); o/u 224

9:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, September 8, 2020

NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals, Game 3

TNT; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Los Angeles Lakers DFS Spin

LeBron James racked up 28 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals, two blocks and one 3-pointer in 39 minutes during a Game 2 win on Sunday. LBJ was furious with his team's Game 1 defeat, but he and his teammates leveled the field tonight. LeBron made 10-of-17 FGs and 7-of-10 FTs and was relentless attacking the basket. The only downside were his seven turnovers, but he made up for them on the defensive end.

Houston Rockets DFS Spin

James Harden tallied 36 points (12-of-20 FGs, 9-of-12 FTs), two rebounds, five assists, two steals, one blocked shot and three 3-pointers in 34 minutes Friday vs. the Lakers. The only blemish on Harden’s stat line was the turnover count, as he finished with a team-high five (same as Russell Westbrook). It’s safe to say that he bounced back from a difficult Game 7 performance against the Thunder, and confidence is never a concern for Harden.

Lakers vs. Rockets Game 3 Betting Prediction

I thought the spread was too big in Game 1 when the Rockets pulled off the upset and believed the line was inflated for Game 2 when the Lakers tied the series and covered the number in the process. With not much changing from Game 1 to tonight’s matchup and Game 3, I’m not going to back off the Rockets getting five points. The line is too much and with better performances from both Harden and Russ Westbrook, I expect Houston to potentially pull off another upset tonight. Or, at the very least, the Rockets will cover the five points; either way, until oddsmakers adjust the line or another variable is introduced, I’m sticking with the Rockets, who are 17-8 against the spread in their last 25 games as an underdog.

NBA PLAYOFFS GAME 3 PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS +5