The Los Angeles Lakers (51-16) will take on the Houston Rockets (42-25) Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena for a 9:00 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Lakers-Rockets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Lakers vs. Rockets: Key injuries
Lakers:
- PG Rajon Rondo (thumb) out
- C Dwight Howard (knee) questionable
Rockets:
- PG Russell Westbrook (quadriceps) questionable
- SG Eric Gordon (ankle) out
- PF Bruno Caboclo (ankle) out
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Lakers vs. Rockets Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockets 121, Lakers 114
Moneyline (ML)
The ROCKETS (100) are even-money underdogs against the Lakers (-121) on Thursday night. Houston is coming off a tough loss to Portland, while the Lakers were blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. With the Rockets likely having fresher legs, and more to play for since the Lakers have already clinched the No. 1 seed, look for Houston to take this game.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Lakers (-1.5, -115) open this contest as less than a basket favorite over the ROCKETS (+1.5, -106). While the Lakers are 2-2 so far in the NBA restart, they’ve covered the spread only once in those four games. Over the past week, they’ve lost two games by a combined 34 points as their offensive game has been struggling.
Meanwhile, the Rockets have had no problems scoring this season as they are the No. 2 highest-scoring offense in the NBA. But Houston hasn’t been much better against the spread, covering just twice in their last eight games. Given that this spread is so small, don’t be afraid to take Houston and the 1.5 points. But with these current odds, the moneyline offers more value.
Over/Under (O/U)
The total for this Western Conference matchup is set at 226.5 points, which feels about right considering how well Houston’s offense has been this season.
On the year, Los Angeles is averaging over 113 points per game, but they have struggled some in Orlando finding their shot. In their four games in the NBA Bubble, they’ve scored an average of 99.3 points per game. However, look for them to get back on track tonight as the Rockets have one of the league’s worst defenses.
Take the OVER, hoping the Lakers can find more success from three-point land than they have over the last few games.
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