Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 19/11/2023, 07:41  by Joseph King | Modified on 19/11/2023 at 13:30 in NBA Prediction

The final game on Sunday’s NBA slate sees a Western Conference showdown between the seventh-place Los Angeles Lakers and the sixth-place Houston Rockets. The Lakers have returned to winning ways after a mixed start to the season. A 107-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA In-Season Tournament on Friday means that LA has now won four of their last five overall. The uptick in form has the Lakers sitting seventh in the standings with a 7-6 record. It was also just the second time this season that the Lakers have managed to hold their opponents to sub-100 points. LeBron James has dialed back the clock in recent appearances to produce some vintage displays. The King dropped 35 points in the win over Portland and is averaging 25.5 points per game on an efficient 57% shooting this season.

The Rockets have been one of the surprises of the 2023/24 campaign so far and will be targeting a spot in the postseason. Despite a slow start to the year which saw them lose their first three games in a row, Houston responded with an excellent seven game winning streak. They would see their winning run come to an end in their last outing, however, as they fell 106-100 to the Clippers on the road. The Rockets are certainly much improved this season, especially on the defensive end where they are giving up the second-fewest points per game (105.8). However, it still remains to be seen whether they can produce the goods on the road as all seven of their wins so far this year have come in their home gym.