The Rockets have lost three of their last four games, but are returning to the comforts of their home court. They’ve struggled recently against the Lakers, but bettors may want to pay attention to the total — it’s gone OVER in each of their last eight games in Houston.
- Date/Time: January 18, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Toyota Center
- TV Coverage: ABC, TSN1
- Sportsbook Odds: Rockets -1.5 | O/U 230.5
- Lakers vs Rockets Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Lakers are the Western Conference’s top dog and have the best road record in the league, while the Rockets have lost three out of four, but with Anthony Davis questionable the Rockets opened as slight home favorites. A confirmed report of Davis being active could swing the spread in Los Angeles’ favor.
Los Angeles News & Notes
The Lakers saw their nine-game win streak snapped with a 119-118 loss Wednesday to Orlando, and they go might into Saturday’s game against Houston again without one of their star players.
Anthony Davis has missed the past four games with a back injury. He is listed as questionable against Houston and will make his decision following pregame warmups.
With Davis possibly sidelined, expect to see LeBron James again carrying the offense to keep pace with the Rockets. He’s averaging 25.4 points and 10.9 assists per contest, helping keep the Lakers play up-tempo games, which has led to the total going OVER in four of their last five games.
Los Angeles has had its share of shootouts recently when visiting Houston, as the total has gone OVER in eight straight meetings between these teams at the Toyota Center.
Houston News & Notes
The Rockets have hit a mid-season rut, losing three of their last four games and covering the spread in only one of their previous five.
James Harden, the league’s scoring leader, has seen has pace slow down — at least by his comparisons. He’s averaging 32.3 points per game over his last 10, well down from his season average. Even though teammate Russell Westbrook has picked up the slack, scoring at least 20 points in 15 straight games, the lower scoring has led to the Rockets seeing the total go UNDER in four of their last six games
Houston is facing a Lakers team that has the Western Conference’s top record and NBA’s best road record, but the Rockets’ have won five of their last six meetings, so they’re entering the game with confidence.
Betting Pick: OVER 230.5
The Rockets may be playing to the UNDER lately, but showtime takes over whenever the Lakers come to town. I think that happens again Saturday, and the total goes OVER.
- The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The OVER is 10-3 in the last 13 games in this matchup.
- The Lakers are 17-3 SU in 20 road games this season.
