The L.A. Lakers take on the rival Houston Rockets on Thursday night in one of the most anticipated battles in the Orlando bubble. NBA fans expect all four stars, James Harden and Russell Westbrook for Houston, and LeBron and Anthony Davis for the Lakers, to give it their all. Which team will come out ahead? Check out analysis and a free pick for Lakers versus Rockets so you can make your bets against their NBA odds!
NBA L.A. Lakers Vs Houston Rockets Odds & Analysis
- When: Thursday, August 6 at 9:00 pm ET
- Where: Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
- Lakers Vs Rockets Live: NBA League Pass
- ATS Odds: Lakers -1 ½
Why bet on L.A. Lakers to cover at -1 ½
The Lakers are feeling good after locking up the top seed in the Western Conference. With that accomplishment behind them, Los Angeles can move on to just playing basketball. That could be a recipe for a win and cover. L.A. and Houston play similar styles, which means the Rockets will have trouble out running the Lakers.
L.A. Lakers Expected Starting Five
- F – Anthony Davis
- F – LeBron James
- C – JaVale McGee
- G – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- G – Danny Green
Why bet on the Houston Rockets to cover at +1 ½
The Rockets dominated the last head-to-head. Houston blitzed LAL 121-111. The Lakers shot 49% from the field. But they were just 9-of-31, 29%, from three. Houston shot 51% from the field and 45% from three. Even if the Lakers shoot better from behind the arc, Houston could win this one straight up because the Rockets always shoot well from three.
Houston Rockets Expected Starting Five
- F – Danuel House Jr.
- F – P.J Tucker
- C – Robert Covington
- G – Russell Westbrook
- G – James Harden
Lakers vs Rockets Betting Trends
- Over is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings
- Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
- LAL is 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games
- Under is 5-1 in the Lakers last 6 games
- Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10
- Under is 3-1 in Houston’s last 4 games
- Houston is 3-1 SU in their last 4 games
Lakers vs Rockets Final Betting Analysis
The Rockets struggled against the Portland Trail Blazers in their last. The Blazers upset Houston 110-102. There’s a reason, though.
The Blazers send one of the top backcourts in the NBA, it rivals the Rockets’, to the floor. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum can hang with Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
McCollum and Lillard had more combined rebounds, 16 to 12, than Russell and The Beard. That’s rare for a pair of guards to get anywhere close to what Westbrook and Harden accomplish together.
Not only that, but Lillard and McCollum combined for 42 points while center Jusuf Nurkic dropped 18 and had 19 boards.
On Wednesday night, Houston will allow Anthony Davis to dominate inside. Where they will attempt to win the game is at the guard positions. The Lakers have struggled with LeBron playing point.
LAL beat LAC in their first Orlando matchup. Since then, the Lakers have lost to Toronto and Oklahoma City. Los Angeles won’t run their two stars ragged in this. Back the Rockets.
NBA Free Pick: Rockets +1 ½
