Rockets vs. Lakers Pick
Are the host Los Angeles Lakers going to be able to keep it competitive tonight at 9:30PM ET when they host the Houston Rockets?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are listed as a 12.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 225 points.
Houston enters with a 17-4 overall record and 12-9 ATS after a 118-97 home win over the Pacers, its sixth straight win. Los Angeles is 8-14 overall and 10-12 ATS following a 115-100 loss at the Nuggets, its fourth consecutive defeat. The Rockets went 2-1 straight up and 2-1 ATS in three meetings last season. The over went 3-0.
In the win against Indiana, Houston was paced by James Harden with 29 points along with 10 assists and eight rebounds. Clint Capela tallied 22 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Ryan Anderson added 19 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Rockets outscored the Pacers 64-48 in the second half.
Los Angeles was led by Brandon Ingram with 20 points and four rebounds in the loss at Denver. Brook Lopez contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Julius Randle added 15 points, six boards and three assists. The Lakers were outscored 37-20 in the fourth quarter.
Houston is 20-8 ATS in the last 28 meetings. The over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
The red-hot Rockets have a huge spread to cover on the road here. While they are well-rested and the Lakers are on a back-to-back, home-court advantage should keep this close enough for LA to cover the spread. No one is expecting Los Angeles to win, but all it has to do is lose by 12 or less and we’ll have ourselves a win.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES LAKERS +12.5