The Los Angeles Lakers (8-3) wrap up a two-game miniseries with the Houston Rockets (3-5) Tuesday at the Toyota Center in an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Lakers-Rockets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Los Angeles dismantled Houston Sunday 120-102 as a 4-point road favorite. The Lakers shot better from everywhere on the floor, outrebounded the Rockets 60-51, threw more assists, had more points in the paint and held a 27-point lead at one time.
Houston’s typically strong backcourt comprised of former All-Star PG John Wall, former MVP James Harden and former Sixth Man of the Year SG Eric Gordon all struggled vs. the Lakers:
Wall had 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting, Harden only had 20 points and missed six of eight 3’s and, Gordon only scored four points off the bench but is averaging 19.5 points per game.
The Lakers have beaten the Rockets in five straight (covering all five) dating back to last season’s 4-1 Los Angeles’ series victory over Houston the Western Conference Semifinals.
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 3 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Rockets +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread/ATS: Lakers -4.5 (-110) | Rockets +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Lakers at Rockets: Key Injuries
Lakers
- SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) probable
- PF Anthony Davis (hip) questionable
- SF LeBron James (ankle) questionable
- SG Wesley Matthews (Achilles) out
Rockets
- SG Eric Gordon (lower leg) questionable
- SF Danuel House Jr. (health and safety protocols) out
- PG John Wall (head) questionable
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Lakers at Rockets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Lakers 119, Rockets 108
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE because the Lakers (-190) are the right side but too pricey for an NBA regular-season side. However, monitor the injury report and Lakers beat writers because if LeBron or AD take a rest day, there could be value on the Rockets plus-money.
Against the spread (ATS)
Based on what we know now, TAKE the LAKERS -4.5 (-110). I’d like to fade the sharps in this spot who are presumably backing the Rockets to even this second game of the two-game series.
According to Pregame.com, more money is on Houston while more bets have been placed on Los Angeles. Typically, the money column is considered the sharp side and the tickets/bets column is the average joe. To me, this is too robotic of a bet and it’s sharps overthinking it.
The theory is simple: There’s inherent value in the talented underdog who just looked bad vs. the same opponent because the public is on the favorite. But, I think the Lakers enjoy whooping up on the Rockets and if their superstars are active, they’ll just hammer Houston again.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Under has cashed in four straight Lakers-Rockets meetings and eight of the last 10. But, the last two games have gone Under by 1.5 and 2.5 points and, my feeling is that the Rockets have a little more offensive success this time around. Not enough for them to win but enough to put a quarter-unit on OVER 222.5 (-110).
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 happy to have Caldwell-Pope back (LeBron Wire)
- Wood praises Houston’s team chemistry (Rockets Wire)
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