The Los Angeles Lakers (39-38) and Houston Rockets (19-59) meet Sunday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Rockets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers covered the spread as 2-point favorites Friday with a 123-111 win at the Minnesota Timberwolves. C Anthony Davis put up 17 of his 38 points in the 4th quarter as Los Angeles leapfrogged Minnesota in the Western Conference standings.
The Rockets pushed as 6-point home favorites Friday with a 121-115 win vs. the Detroit Pistons. G Kevin Porter Jr. scored 33 points as Houston snapped its 7-game losing streak.
This season’s series is tied 1-1 straight up, against the spread (ATS) and Over/Under. Houston covered as a 2.5-point home underdog in a 114-110 win as the Under (233.5) cashed in the most recent meeting March 15.
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Lakers at Rockets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:38 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers -650 (bet $650 to win $100) | Rockets +475 (bet $100 to win $475)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -11.5 (-110) | Rockets +11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lakers at Rockets key injuries
Lakers
- C Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F LeBron James (foot) questionable
Rockets
- F Jae’Sean Tate (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 123, Rockets 104
Moneyline
PASS.
Los Angeles (-650) is playing some of its best basketball of the season and should easily beat Houston, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when the Lakers should win by margin. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
BET LAKERS -11.5 (-110).
Los Angeles was an underdog to make the playoffs at one point this season, but now sits 8th in the Western Conference after winning 5 of its last 6 games. The Lakers have covered as a favorite in 4 of their last 5 and should be motivated to run up the score after losing to Houston in their last meeting.
The Rockets are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and will struggle to keep it close vs. this Lakers team that is just 1 game behind the Clippers for the 6th seed in the West.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 236.5 (-110).
The Lakers are a veteran team and the Under is 16-6-1 in their last 23 games after 1 day of rest.
The Under has hit in 5 of Houston’s last 6 home games and the Rockets should have a much harder time scoring vs. the Lakers this time around after upsetting Los Angeles in their last head-to-head meeting.
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