NBA
Rockets vs. Lakers: Preview, Prediction and Betting Pick
Lou Ramon Aguila is a veteran sportswriter, having covered the biggest events and names in the NBA, NFL, MLB, Boxing, and Tennis for the last 12 years. His articles have appeared in print and online with some of the most recognized media outlets, including Bleacher Report and International Business Times.
All posts by Lou Ramon AguilaUpdated5 hours ago on April 19, 2024
The Houston Rockets and their young guns will get to experience the bright lights of LA for the first time this season as they go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center. Check out below the BetOnline odds for this game.
Game Information
Start time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Staples Center; Los Angeles, California
TV channels: NBA League Pass, Spectrum SportsNet, AT&T SportsNet Southwest
Radio broadcast: KBME, KTRH, KSPN
Live stream: fuboTV (seven-day free trial)
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Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Lines
Point Spread: Rockets 10.5
Moneyline: Rockets +395, Lakers -475
Total: O/U 220.5
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Team News
Rockets sharpshooter Danuel House sustained a sprained right foot in Tuesday night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, 116-106. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, House suffered the injury after trying to save the ball from going out of bounds. House is averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game this season. Although X-Rays came out negative of any structural damage, House had to wear a walking boot earlier in the game.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said his players have already made a concerted effort to solve their spotty defense, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Vogel said LeBron and other locker room leaders discussed among themselves how to improve this particular area. The Lakers currently allow opposing teams to score 116.5 PPG, which ranks 28th in the league.
“(Rajon) Rondo was in there, LeBron (James), (Russell Westbrook), (Anthony Davis). They’re all talking and figuring things. We’re looking at our clips that we pull as well. So, they were just motivated. It’s not happening on the defensive side the way we want, but we’re working towards it.”
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
Rockets: Denuel House – OUT (foot), Kevin Porter Jr. – Probable (Ankle)
Lakers: Trevor Ariza – OUT (Ankle), Dwight Howard – Questionable (Neck), Wayne Ellington – Questionable (Hamstring), Anthony Davis – Probable (Knee), Kendrick Nunn – OUT (Knee), Talen Horton-Tucker – OUT (Thumb) and LeBron James – Questionable (Ankle)
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview
The Rockets are not expected to win many games this season as they are at the early stage of their rebuild. Nevertheless, the team is building a team that plays hard on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, their last three games pitted them against playoff contenders (BOS, DAL, UTA), resulting in a succession of double-digit losses.
The No.2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jalen Green is experiencing a shooting funk after exploding 30 points on a 66 percent FG clip against Boston last weekend. Green shot just 25 percent from the field vs. the Mavs and 18.8 percent against the Jazz. Christian Wood has been the most productive Rocket so far, averaging 19.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in 33 minutes per game.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will try to go over .500 for the first time after going through a shaky first two weeks. James, dealing with a sore ankle, is averaging 26.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 6.0 APG in 38 MPG. On Friday, the former four-time MVP also played a huge role in the Lakers’ 113-101 win over his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team now won three of their last four games and improved to 3-3.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
The Rockets will be playing with nothing to lose against the Lakers. However, the experience of going up against LeBron and all of those superstars will come valuable in the long run, especially for Jalen Green. Houston is grooming Green and Porter Jr. to become the team’s backbone for the years to come. While this season will present a lot of ordeals, each game provides a unique opportunity for these youngsters to improve and become better all-around basketball players.
The Lakers must prevent another winnable game from going the other way round due to complacency. The lesson of their loss to OKC early this week should serve as a wake-up call that every team has a shot at beating them if they don’t exert enough effort.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Picks
Moneyline and ATS: Learning from the lesson of the upset loss against OKC, the Lakers will dominate early en route to a double-digit win, covering the spread in the process.
O/U: Too much offensive firepower and mediocre defense will result in a high-scoring affair. Pick OVER.
For more NBA betting trends, visit BetOnline.
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