The Houston Rockets (32-18) visit Los Angeles to take on the Lakers (38-11) in a matchup that pits great offense against exceptional defense. The game is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction
The last time the Rockets played, they covered the 13-point spread against the Charlotte Hornets, 125-110. The game’s combined points (235) finished over the O/U total of 223. Houston had a turnover percentage of 3.6 (better than their season average of 12.2). Charlotte, on the other hand, held the Rockets to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below their season average of 23.5). Houston rallied around James Harden, who was the game’s leading scorer with 40 points on 11-for-26 shooting.
The Lakers easily got past the San Antonio Spurs in their last outing, 129-102, comfortably covering as 9.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (231) were over the projected point total of 221. The Lakers had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 24.7), while the Spurs had a free throw rate of 0.099 (below their season average of 0.205). LeBron James was the top scorer from either team with 36 points on 12-for-20 shooting from the field.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as two of the NBA’s best offenses square off. Los Angeles ranks fourth with 111.6 points per 100 possessions and Houston is third (111.7).
Houston holds records of 32-18 straight up (SU) and 25-25 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Rockets have finished under the O/U total 54.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 38-11 SU and 26-22-1 ATS. Contrary to Houston, a little over half of Lakers games have finished over the O/U total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Rockets lost 124-115, unable to cover as 3.5-point favorites. Russell Westbrook led both teams with 35 points and also had nine rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 239 points, which was just 4.5 points above the projected point total of 234.5 points. The Lakers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 24.4) and had a better turnover percentage (13.7 vs. 16.3).
Rockets vs. Lakers Free Pick
Free NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Houston is 12-13 ATS on the road with 15 unders and 10 overs.
Los Angeles is 12-10-1 ATS at home with 12 unders and 11 overs.
Los Angeles is 15-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Houston is 3-0.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Lakers are 34-10 and the Rockets are 32-16.
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (19.0) while Houston ranks 28th in fast break points allowed per game (15.5).
The Lakers rank second in rebounds allowed per game (42.1) while the Rockets rank 27th (46.8).
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (43.8) while Los Angeles ranks 24th (30.8).
The Lakers average 14.8 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the league. The Rockets rank 25th in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Los Angeles averages 53.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the league. Houston ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.2).
The Lakers rank sixth in assists per game (26.0) while the Rockets rank 27th (21.6).
Los Angeles ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while Houston ranks 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
The Lakers rank first in blocks per game (7.1) while the Rockets rank 16th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
Houston averages 8.2 steals per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.0).
In its last five outings, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 119.2 points per game (4.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (5.8 above their season average).
