Offense meets defense when the Houston Rockets (26-14) welcome the Los Angeles Lakers (33-8) to Toyota Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets ATS Prediction
In the Lakers’ last game, they were 9.5-point favorites and lost to the Orlando Magic, 119-118. The total points for the game (237) came in well over the projected point total of 209.5. One of Orlando’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 29 trips to the line, while Los Angeles went just 11 times. Los Angeles’ LeBron James played well, contributing 19 points and 19 assists.
The Rockets were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing, 117-107, despite being 8.5-point favorites. The total points for the game (224) finished under the O/U total of 237.5. Portland’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Houston. The Trail Blazers had a rate of 6.1 (better than their season average of 11.3), while the Rockets posted a mark of 10.2. Despite the loss, Houston’s Russell Westbrook finished with 31 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. This gave him his sixth triple-double of the year.
This showdown pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Houston currently ranks third in offensive efficiency and Los Angeles is third in defensive efficiency.
Los Angeles heads into the contest with records of 33-8 straight up (SU) and 22-18-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Lakers’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Houston owns records of 26-14 SU and 20-20 ATS. Vegas is known to set the total high when the Rockets are involved, as 57.5 percent of their games have finished under the total.
After the Rockets won three out of four meetings against the Lakers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Los Angeles won 111-106. Los Angeles had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.5 vs. 9.8). Houston, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.9 vs. 14.5).
Lakers at Rockets Free Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 11-9 ATS on the road with 10 overs and 10 unders.
Houston is 10-9 ATS at home with 10 overs and 9 unders.
Los Angeles is 14-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Houston is 3-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Lakers are 29-8 and the Rockets are 26-12.
Los Angeles averages 18.1 fast break points per game, which ranks second in the league. Houston ranks 29th in fast break points allowed per game (15.9).
The Lakers rank fourth in assists allowed per game (22.7) while the Rockets rank 27th (25.9).
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (44.3) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd (30.5).
The Lakers average 53.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Rockets rank 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.5).
Los Angeles scores 18.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Houston ranks 25th in points off turnovers given up (18.4 per game).
The Lakers average 14.4 second chance points per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Rockets rank 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
Los Angeles ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (42.1) while Houston ranks 19th (46.4).
The Lakers rank first in blocks per game (7.2) while the Rockets rank 14th (4.8).
Los Angeles averages 8.4 steals per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Houston ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
In its last five games, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Houston is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.6, up from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 114.0 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average).