The Los Angeles Lakers (7-3) visit the Houston Rockets (3-4) Sunday at the Toyota Center for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Lakers-Rockets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Los Angeles has won four of its last five games including a 117-115 nail-biter as an 8.5-point favorite vs. the Chicago Bulls Friday. The Lakers got crushed on the inside with All-Star PF Anthony Davis out of the lineup, being outscored by the Bulls in the paint 62-42.
The Rockets pasted the Orlando Magic 132-90 in Houston Friday. This was the best version of Houston we’ve seen since the start of the regular season. The Rockets’ 139 points were the most they scored all season and Houston was up as many as 42 points. It was a total team effort with six Rockets players scoring double figures and all 13 of the Rockets that played scoring.
The last time these teams met was in the Orlando Bubble for the Western Conference Semifinals where the Lakers eliminated the Rockets 4-1. However, the Rockets won last season’s regular-season series 2-1 (2-1 against the spread) and have beaten the Lakers in 7 of their last 9 meetings at home.
Lakers at Rockets: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:47 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Rockets +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread/ATS: Lakers -2.5 (-115) | Rockets +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Lakers at Rockets: Key Injuries
Lakers
- SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) questionable
- PF Anthony Davis (hip) questionable
- SF LeBron James (ankle) questionable
Rockets
- SG Ben McLemore (ankle) questionable
- SF Danuel House (back) out
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Lakers at Rockets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rockets 117, Lakers 109
Money line (ML)
I’m on the ROCKETS (+120) for a half-unit with the plan of betting Houston plus the points heavier. There’s an old sports betting adage hungry dogs run faster and that’s what I think we have here.
The Rockets should be more amped up for this game and both of the Lakers’ superstars are listed on the injury report as questionable. The Lakers gave AD the night off against the Bulls and maybe they give James the night off Sunday because what do they have to prove?
Houston could beat them by 80 and the Lakers will still be the favorite to win the Finals.
Against the spread (ATS)
Obviously, if I’m on Houston’s money line, I am insuring it by BETTING ROCKETS +2.5 (-105) for 1.5 units. While Los Angeles has won five of its last six, those wins aren’t all that impressive.
The Lakers played the Spurs three times, Memphis without Ja Morant twice and eked by a Bulls team at home. Maybe I am reading too much into Houston’s last performance but, there’s a lot of talent on that team and I think the Rockets round the corner and start rising in Western Conference standings.
Lastly, the Rockets go deep at guard and I am not sold on the Lakers’ perimeter defense with Rajon Rondo no longer there and Caldwell-Pope and PG Alex Caruso playing with injuries.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS ON THE TOTAL. I lean OVER 222.5 (-110) but don’t have much of a feel for it.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- James praises Bulls rookie Williams for ‘Kawhi-like’ hands (LeBron Wire)
- Harden on Rockets: ‘We have a chance to do something special’ (Rockets Wire)
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