The Lakers close out a two-game series on the road in Houston on Tuesday night against James Harden and the Rockets, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on NBA TV.
The Lakers just beat the Rockets by 18 on Sunday in Houston and Anthony Davis led all scorers with 27 in a game that also saw Markieff Morris and DeMarcus Cousins get ejected. James Harden had an off-night offensively, scoring 20 points on 14 shots and recording a season-high seven turnovers. Can the Rockets bounce back on Tuesday?
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Lakers -4.5
- Money line: Lakers -190 / Rockets +155
- Over-under: 222.5
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Advice and prediction
Both the Lakers (45.5%) and Rockets (37.5%) have covered in under half of their games early this season, so you might not feel good backing either side in the second half of a series – but the Rockets’ recent results are a bit more troubling. Houston has lost three of four, and has lost by an average of 12.6 points in those games.
Disgruntled guard James Harden has also been less-than-stellar recently – after averaging 37 points per game on 20.3 shots in his first three starts, Harden is averaging 17.8 points in four games in January, and is taking nearly six fewer shots per game (20.3 to 14.5), and seven fewer free throws per game (12.0 to 4.8). Not coincidentally, the Rockets have come in under 222.5 in every one of those last four games. Until Harden breaks out, I’m going to stick with the trend, taking Lakers -4.5 and under 222.5.
Prediction: Lakers 109, Rockets 103
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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