Rockets vs. Lakers Game 1 Prediction
The Rockets and Lakers will open their Western Conference semifinals series tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET in Orlando. With Houston catching 6.5 points, what’s the best play for bettors in Game 1 tonight?
Game Snapshot
Who: Rockets (+6.5) vs. Lakers (-6.5)
What: 2020 NBA Playoffs, Western Conference Semifinals
When: 9:00 p.m. ET, Friday, September 4, 2020
Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Odds: Lakers -6.5; o/u 225 (Check out our NBA Public Betting Chart Page)
Houston Rockets DFS Spin
Mike D’Antoni said he’s planning to expand his rotation a bit for the Rockets’ second-round matchup with the Lakers. D’Antoni ran an eight-man rotation in Game 7 that did not include Ben McLemore, but maybe he’ll be able to get back into the rotation for at least the first few games of this series. That said, fringe rotation players are not advisable targets in fantasy hoops.
Los Angeles Lakers DFS Spin
Frank Vogel said that Rajon Rondo (back) has looked “really good” at recent practices and he’s “hopeful” that Rondo will be able to play in Game 1 on Friday. Rondo will likely be eased back into things, but his return figures to result in fewer minutes for Alex Caruso and Quinn Cook. He might be in the rotation, but we don’t anticipate him making much noise in fantasy hoops. Through 48 games with the Lakers this season, Rondo compiled meager averages of 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game on 41.8% shooting from the field and 65.9% from the stripe
2020 NBA Playoffs Rockets vs. Lakers Game 1 Betting Prediction
James Harden hit some big 3-pointers in the Rockets’ Game 7 win over the Thunder but also struggled from beyond the arc. Russell Westbrook stepped up, however, and made sure Houston advanced to the second round where the Rockets will take on the Lakers. It wasn’t always smooth for the Rockets but I do see major value in Houston catching 6.5 points tonight. The Lakers are more talented than the Thunder but OKC is pesky and I don’t see L.A. playing with the same amount of defensive relentlessness. Of course, Harden and Co. still need to hit shots or it won’t matter, but I’m willing to take that chance in Game 1. The Rockets are 4-1 against the spread in their last five playoff games as an underdog and have covered in five of their last seven games overall as an underdog.
2020 NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS +6.5