The Los Angeles Lakers (17-10), 5.5-point underdogs, will travel to the Toyota Center to go head-to-head against the Houston Rockets (12-14). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 223 points and it will air on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 13, 2018.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds
In the Rockets’ previous matchup, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-104, covering as 6.5-point favorites. The Lakers, meanwhile, beat the Miami Heat, 108-105, but failed to cover as 5.5-point favorites. The Houston game finished 5 points under the projected point total of 220, while the Los Angeles game finished 8.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5.
Los Angeles played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.8 (better than their season average of 13.2) and a free throw rate of 0.133 (matching their season average). Miami recorded marks of 14.6 and 0.106, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, Houston played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 6.7 (better than their season average of 12.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.547 (above their season average of 0.530). For those same stats, Portland was 12.7 and 0.494, respectively. Chris Paul had a big outing for Houston, registering 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to his zeroth triple-double of the year. Los Angeles, meanwhile, was led by LeBron James, who contributed 28 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Paul led the Rockets to a 124-115 victory. He notched a double-double with 28 points and 10 assists. The two teams combined to score 239 points, which was just over the projected point total of 237.5, and Houston covered as a 3.5-point favorite. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Houston’s biggest strengths. They had 30 free throw attempts, while Los Angeles had 18.
Lakers games have a tendency to finish under the total (63.0 percent). Los Angeles has a respectable 17-10 straight up (SU) record, but they have a hard time covering the spread (11-15-1 against the spread (ATS)).
Contrary to Los Angeles, just over half of Rockets games have finished over the total. Moreover, Houston owns records of 12-14 SU and 10-16 ATS.
Kyle Kuzma has been playing at a high level recently for Los Angeles, averaging 21 points,9.2 rebounds,4.4 assists over the last five games.
This game should be a battle of contrasting styles. Los Angeles prefers a fast-breaking style of play (second in possessions per game), while Houston is more half-court-oriented (28th in possessions per game).
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Odds Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank 14 in second chance points per game (13.25925925925926) while the Rockets rank 22 in second chance points allowed per game (14.23076923076923).
- Los Angeles averages 55.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Houston ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.8).
- The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (20.2) while the Rockets rank 17th (12.4).
- Houston blocks 5.8 opponent shots per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Los Angeles ranks 16 in assists per game (23.925925925925927) while Houston ranks 26 (21.115384615384617).
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (41.7) while the Lakers rank 19th (30.4).
- The Lakers average 8.407407407407407 steals per game, which ranks 9 in the league. The Rockets rank 21 in steals allowed per game (8.23076923076923).
- Los Angeles ranks 13 in points off turnovers per game (17.51851851851852) while Houston ranks 19 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.53846153846154).
- Los Angeles ranks ninth in rebounds per game (46.6) while Houston ranks 26th (41.0).
- Houston is 4-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Los Angeles is 6-0.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Lakers are 16-9 and the Rockets are 10-8.
- Houston is 5-6 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 5-7 ATS on the road.
- The Lakers have 7 unders and 5 overs in 12 road games.
- The Rockets have 7 overs and 4 unders in 11 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Lakers are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Los Angeles has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Houston has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 116.0 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
- The Rockets\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.8, up from 1.1 for the season.
