Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Key Betting Insights & Prediction

Houston Rockets (8-8 SU, 11-4 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (11-9 SU, 8-12 ATS)

When: Saturday, December 2nd, 10:30 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: SN-LA

Point Spread: Hou +5.5/LAL -5.5

Total: 221

Money Line: Houston Rockets +181/-221

Notable Injuries

Rockets

• Victor Oladipo (Out) Knee
• Amen Thompson (Out) Ankle

Lakers

• Anthony Davis (Probable) Hip
• LeBron James (Questionable) Calf
• Gabe Vincent (Out) Knee
• Jaxson Hayes (Probable) Elbow
• Cam Reddish (Probable) Groin

Recent Form

Facing off against the Lakers, the Rockets are looking to secure a winning record, with their current record sitting at 8-8. The Rockets have a 0-7 record on the road this season, compared to their 8-1 record when playing at home.

The Lakers head into today’s action with an overall record of 11-9 and have gone 1-2 over their previous three games. Across 20 games, the Lakers have an 8-6 record when facing Western Conference teams, and they have a 3-3 record in non-conference games.

The Historicals

Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Houston has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 1 point per game separates the teams. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 2-3. Combined, they averaged 233 points in these games.

Analysis

The Rockets recently showcased a strong offensive performance, scoring 124 points against the Nuggets. This output exceeded their season average of 110.9 points per game. Offensively, the Rockets hold a season-long field goal percentage of 47%, placing them 14th in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 19th in terms of percentage and 16th in three-pointers made.

Coming into today’s game, the Rockets’ defense is giving up an average of 107.2 points per contest.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Rockets squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 51.8% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 32.5% from downtown.

The Lakers offense is coming off a game where they scored 110 points against the Thunder. They posted a field goal percentage of 44.4% and connected on 11 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is LeBron James who comes into today’s matchup averaging 24.8. Anthony Davis also heads into the game with a PPG average of 22.6.

On the defensive side, the Lakers are currently hovering around the NBA’s average for points allowed, conceding an average of 114.3 points per game.

Inside the arc, the Lakers’ defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 52.7% and 36.2% from three-point territory.

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Rockets have a straight-up record of 2-8 while going 5-4-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 110 points per game in this stretch.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 113 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• The last three games that Houston was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 1-1-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Lakers have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 8-2.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Lakers and Rockets have already faced off two times this year, with Houston taking game one and the Lakers pulling out a 1-point win in the most recent game. There is no reason to think that the Lakers are going to run away with this one. I like Houston at +5.5.