The Los Angeles Lakers (28-36) visit the Toyota Center Wednesday to take on the Houston Rockets (16-49). 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 enter the game after a loss in San Antonio, failing to cover as 6.5-point road underdogs. F LeBron James was out with a knee injury and is again questionable.
The Lakers are 28-36 on the season and 27-36-1 against the spread (ATS). LA is just 4-7 ATS as a road favorite.
As for the Rockets, they’re a tad worst ATS, posting a 26-38-1 record while 16-49 straight up. Houston is just 1-9 straight up over its last 10 yet 4-6 ATS over that span.
The Rockets are led by C Christian Wood who is averaging 17.9 points per game. Wood didn’t play in Houston’s 17-point loss to Miami on Monday.
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 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Rockets +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -5.5 (-107) | Rockets +5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Lakers at Rockets key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (mid-foot) out
- F LeBron James (questionable) knee
- G Malik Monk (calf) probable
- F Talen Horton-Tucker (ankle) probable
Rockets
- C Christian Wood (illness) questionable
- G Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) questionable
- G Dennis Schroder (ankle) questionable
Lakers at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 120, Lakers 117
Money line
SPRINKLE on ROCKETS +175.
Sure, the Rockets have the second-worst record in the NBA, but they’re 9-21 at home.
The Lakers are 9-20 on the road. I would wait until the status of James is announced, even if you see this taper down to +120 if he’s officially ruled out.
The Rockets are 0-3 against the Lakers. In Houston’shome loss, the Lakers saw James total 32 points and 11 assists, so clearly his status is important.
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Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS +5.5 (-115).
The Rockets are 2-1 ATS against Lakers this season and were 6-point underdogs when they lost by 9 at home. James was active, so this line seems to bake in that he will play.
Houston has the 25th-best net rating following the All-Star break at -6.4. As for the Lakers, they’ve been awful with a -8.3 net rating and a 115.1 defensive rating.
Since the All-Star break, the Lakers also rank 28th in turnover rate and 23rd in true shooting percentage. Houston ranks far better in turnover rate and then one spot lower in shooting.
The Lakers are 1-4-1 ATS since the All-Star break, and the Rockets are 3-4 ATS. Los Angeles doesn’t have a great offensive identity and may struggle on the road.
This is a “lean” with James’ active and full-unit suggestion if he’s ruled out.
Over/Under
PASS with a slight “lean” to the OVER 233.5 (-112).
If there’s one thing both teams can do well, it’s cover the projected total. The Rockets are 36-28-1 O/U this season, and the Lakers are 34-29-1 O/U.
However, the Lakers are 2-4 O/U since the All-Star break with the Rockets just 2-5 O/U. I like the Over here given the Rockets sit third in the NBA in pace, but overall, I’d prefer the Rockets spread.
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