The Los Angeles Lakers (28-36) visit the Toyota Center Wednesday to take on the Houston Rockets (16-49). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers vs. Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Lakers enter the game after a loss in San Antonio, failing to cover as 6.5-point road underdogs. F LeBron James was out with a knee injury and is again questionable.
The Lakers are 28-36 on the season and 27-36-1 against the spread (ATS). LA is just 4-7 ATS as a road favorite.
As for the Rockets, they’re a tad worst ATS, posting a 26-38-1 record while 16-49 straight up. Houston is just 1-9 straight up over its last 10 yet 4-6 ATS over that span.
The Rockets are led by C Christian Wood who is averaging 17.9 points per game. Wood didn’t play in Houston’s 17-point loss to Miami on Monday.
- Money line: Lakers -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Rockets +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -5.5 (-107) | Rockets +5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Lakers at Rockets key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (mid-foot) out
- F LeBron James (questionable) knee
- G Malik Monk (calf) probable
- F Talen Horton-Tucker (ankle) probable
Rockets
- C Christian Wood (illness) questionable
- G Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) questionable
- G Dennis Schroder (ankle) questionable
Lakers at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 120, Lakers 117
Money line
SPRINKLE on ROCKETS +175.
Sure, the Rockets have the second-worst record in the NBA, but they’re 9-21 at home.
The Lakers are 9-20 on the road. I would wait until the status of James is announced, even if you see this taper down to +120 if he’s officially ruled out.
The Rockets are 0-3 against the Lakers. In Houston’shome loss, the Lakers saw James total 32 points and 11 assists, so clearly his status is important.