Rockets vs. Lakers: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Rockets vs. Lakers Odds
| Rockets Odds | +5 |
| Lakers Odds | -5 |
| Over/Under | 233.5 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 16 |
| Time | 10:30 p.m. |
| TV | NBA TV |
The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers will conclude the NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day action, with tip-off at 10:30 p.m. EST. Entering play, Houston (10-33) owns the worst record in the NBA. Los Angeles (19-24) has the third-worst record in the Western Conference through their first 45 games. On Monday, oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game between these two teams, pricing the Lakers as 5-point home favorites on the spread.
Houston Rockets
Rockets’ road woes
Houston owns the worst overall record in the NBA and the worst road record in the league. Since December 3, the Rockets are 1-8 away from home, having been outscored by 14.8 points per 100 possessions. In that span, they rank 27th in offensive efficiency and 30th in defensive efficiency – struggling mightily on both ends of the floor.
Kevin Porter Jr. OUT
Tonight, Kevin Porter Jr., the team’s second-leading scorer and top facilitator, will be on the sidelines once again. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Rockets rank in the 19th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 10th percentile in defensive efficiency with Porter Jr. off of the floor this season, compared to the 8th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 57th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
In three games since Porter Jr. last played his normal allotment of minutes, the Rockets are 0-3, with each of their three losses coming by at least 20 points.
Los Angeles Lakers
Fatigue a concern
On Thursday, the Lakers lost in double-overtime to the Dallas Mavericks 119-115. In that contest, LeBron James played 47 minutes, Russell Westbrook played 40 minutes, and Dennis Schroder played 38 minutes. Last night, Los Angeles lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 113-112 in a high-intensity game that went down to the wire. In the loss, James and Westbrook both played 34 minutes or more.
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back set, it is possible that the 38-year old James and the 34-year old Westbrook will see their minutes closely monitored. As a result, the Lakers are likely to lean more heavily on role players, such as Kendrick Nunn, Wenyen Gabriel, and Juan Toscano-Anderson this evening.
Anthony Davis remains OUT
Per Shams Charania, Anthony Davis is expected to begin running on the court later this week, but he will remain on the sidelines for this evening’s tilt against the Rockets. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles ranks in the 52nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 74th percentile in defensive efficiency with Davis on the floor this season, compared to the 43rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 22nd percentile in defensive efficiency in his absence.
Since he last played on December 16, the Lakers are 7-8, ranking 20th in the NBA in Net Rating (-1.4 points per 100 possessions). In that span, they are 3-3 on their home floor.
Rockets vs. Lakers – Picks & Predictions
Houston’s last three games have totaled 250 points, 253 points, and 221 points – each without Kevin Porter Jr. on the court. During that stretch, the Rockets are averaging 102 possessions per game, which ranks 6th-quickest in the NBA. Playing at home since Anthony Davis’ injury, Los Angeles is averaging 102 possessions per game, which ranks 7th-quickest in the league.
Expect a track meet tonight between these two teams, with the over having a great opportunity to hit if tired legs do not weigh-down the Lakers’ shooting efficiency. If betting the NBA’s nightcap on Monday, take a small stab on the over.
PICK: Over 233.5 (-105, MGM)
Image Credit: Imagn