The Los Angeles Lakers (16-18) travel to Toyota Center Tuesday to take on the Houston Rockets (10-24). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers vs. Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Lakers will be down big man F Anthony Davis and, despite F LeBron James‘ high level of play, they’ve continued to lose close games.
Los Angeles has been one of the league’s worst teams to bet on at just 12-22 against the spread (ATS). The Lakers are just 6-8 ATS away from the Staples Center and are 1-5 ATS as road favorites.
The Rockets are playing the second night of a back-to-back set after taking a road loss at the Charlotte Hornets Monday.
Led by C Christian Wood, the Rockets started 1-16, then went on a seven-game win streak before losing eight of ten games since. They’ve failed to cover four straight games and are 16-17-1 ATS this season.
Lakers at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -205 (bet $205 to win $100) | Rockets +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -4.5 (-120) | Rockets +4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Lakers at Rockets key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (knee) out
- F LeBron James (abdominal strain) probable
Rockets (not officially submitted)
- G Jalen Green (hamstring) questionable
- F Jae’Sean Tate (health and safety protocols) out
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Lakers at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 114, Rockets 110
Money line
PASS on the money line.
I can’t find value in the Rockets (+165) given the level LeBron is playing at, and the Lakers have dropped too many winnable games to even think about betting their -205 tag.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the ROCKETS +4.5 (-105) as a fade against the Lakers. While LeBron has been killing it recently, those around him have not and many of them will be sidelined tonight.
The Rockets have many ways to abuse a weak Lakers defense. Wood will be the most versatile big man on the court which should give the Lakers frontcourt some issues.
The Lakers give up the fourth-most points per game in the league and against a team with a few seasoned scorers, especially on the road and short-handed, that could lead to a Rockets cover.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 226.5 (-107) as that’s just too many points for a Lakers offense that will be led by James.
Los Angeles should look to slow the pace. With both teams not snagging offensive rebounds at a high rate and Houston being the worst team in terms of turnover rate, I’d bet against this many points.
Both teams are above .500 on the Over — but just barely. The Lakers are 3-7 on the Over/Under in their last 10 games, so they’ve been trending towards fewer points more often than not.
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