Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction & Picks - NBA
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by Lou Aguila | in NBA Picks
The Los Angeles Lakers held the Houston Rockets below 100 points in the first two games of this series. With the spread set at +8.5 points, the Lakers will again lean on their defense to contain the Rockets and claim at least another ATS win in Game 3 of their first-round series at the Toyota Center on Friday.
Momentum: The Los Angeles Lakers arrived in Houston with a commanding 2-0 lead after putting up a clinical display of basketball in the first two games of this first-round series.
On the other hand, the Rockets find their backs against the wall after squandering the opportunity to put pressure on the short-handed Lakers, who are missing All-NBA guard Luka Doncic and professional scorer Austin Reeves due to injuries. All of a sudden, the Rockets’ much-hyped campaign is in danger of ending sooner than expected.
Hot on the Board: The Rockets are the favorites at home, catching a -335 moneyline and -110 to cover -8.5 points. However, the Lakers have certainly become an appetizing underdog pick at +260, especially after seeing them dominate the Rockets down the stretch of the first two games. Caesars Sportsbook made an odd decision to raise the total from 209.5 in Game 2 to 215.5 points in Game 3 despite the low-scoring nature of the first two games.
Limited Offer. Currently at Caesars Sportsbook
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Form
Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers Latest Matches
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Houston Rockets against Los Angeles Lakers : Head to Head (H2H)
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Players list
A. Thompson
R. Sheppard
T. Eason
J. Smith
M. Smart
L. Kennard
R. Hachimura
L. James
Substitutes
J. Davison
A. Holiday
J. Okogie
J. Green
K. Durant
D. Finney-Smith
J. Tate
D. Knecht
N. Smith Jr.
B. James
A. Reaves
J. Laravia
A. Thiero
J. Vanderbilt
M. Kleber
Houston Rockets - Los Angeles Lakers Key Points
- LA Lakers is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
- LA Lakers is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against Houston.
- Houston is 7-13 ATS in its last 20 games.
- Houston is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against LA Lakers.
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Our Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Fearless Forecast: The Rockets survived the Lakers 110-108
If the Rockets want to win this series, then they have to bag Game 3. No team in the history of the NBA has won a series against a LeBron-led team when trailing 0-3 games. Expect Houston to go all-out from the get-go, with the understanding that they cannot allow the Lakers to stay within striking distance down the stretch. The Lakers torched them in the end game of both Game 1 and 2, and they are very much capable of repeating it as long as they have LeBron James running the show and JJ Reddick drawing genius plays during timeouts.
The Lakers will have chances to win Game 3. I expect them to trail the Rockets with a significant deficit at halftime before another huge third-quarter surge pushes them back into the game. LeBron will put up strong all-around numbers again. Playing like Magic Johnson at the age of 41, James might no longer have the stamina to carry the bulk of the scoring load for the Lakers, but he can still impact the game in other ways, especially as a facilitator.
In the end, the Rockets will knock down the pressure shots down the stretch to stay alive in the series. Watch out for a vindication game by Kevin Durant, who will try to will his team in this game after a so-so performance in Game 2.
Our betting prediction for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Houston Rockets: The Lakers +8.5 points
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
