A clear difference between last year and now can be seen with the Rockets and Lakers. Last year the Lakers continued to wallow as one of the worst teams in the NBA. Meanwhile the Rockets nearly beat NBA games betting odds to make the Finals. The arrival of LeBron James changed everything for Los Angeles. As a consequence, the Lakers are again one of the most popular teams on the board. Houston has suffered a dramatic drop in production on both ends of the court. Most important of all is their surprisingly inept offense.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
Date and Time: Thursday, December 13, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Lakers vs. Rockets TV Coverage: TNT
Los Angeles Lakers
On the whole the Lakers are a vastly more appealing product for NBA games betting compared to last year. Los Angeles has a record of 16-10 straight up, 11-14-1 against the spread and 9-16-1 under the total. As a consequence, the Lakers are in third place in the Pacific Division. LA ranks ninth in the NBA for scoring offense but 19th for points against. LeBron James is in Hall of Fame form with a team best 27.3 points per game.
Houston Rockets
Encompassing Houston’s online sportsbook disappointment is a last place standing in the Southwest Division. Of great concern is their NBA rank of 21st for scoring offense. Balanced against that is a defense ranked 12th in the Association. Specifically, the Rockets are usually one of the top offenses in the NBA. Houston is 11-14 straight up, 9-16 vs. the line and 14-11 over the total. Although it is true that the season has been disappointing James Harden remains strong. Harden leads with 26.2 points per game.
Stats to Consider
On the whole the Lakers have been in the red away from home. To illustrate LA has covered the spread in just three of their last nine on the road. And five of their last seven away tilts have stayed under the number. Houston has been up and down at the Toyota Center. More emphatically the Rockets have covered just four of their last 11 games at home. Five of Houston’s last six home games have gone over the total.
Team vs. Team
Overall the Lakers have had the recent advantage in this head to head series. For example, LA has paid in three of their last four against the Rockets. Eight of the last ten between these two have gone over the total. Additionally, the Lake Show has come away with the cash in their last two visits to H-Town. The last six games in this series at Toyota Center have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Owing to the matchup of James vs. Harden is this game appointment viewing. Late on the Lakers have the better appeal with the NBA games betting odds. In comparison to last year the Rockets are in a terrible funk.
Lakers vs. Rockets NBA games Betting Odds Picks
As mentioned earlier the Lakers have had the edge over Houston recently.
Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Betting Online Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Lakers 100, Rockets 98
Catch highlights of the Lakers recent win over San Antonio!