MENU
The Houston Rockets travel to Hollywood to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at the Staples Center.
The Rockets are coming off a trade that sent Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks. Houston acquired Robert Covington and Jordan Bell in a four-team deal that was consummated on Tuesday after the team beat the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers are trying to look for normalcy after the death of their legend Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles has won back to back games and they head to this game after a big home win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Rockets Trade Capela
The Houston Rockets head to Los Angeles after beating the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night and after trading starting center Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks in a four-team deal later in the day. The Rockets have won three straight games to reclaim first place in the Southwest Division team standings.
The Rockets acquired Robert Covington, Jordan Bell and a 2nd round pick for Capela who has missed four out of Houston’s five games with an injury. James Harden almost had another 40-point triple-double but he fell one rebound short of that feat. Russell Westbrook didn’t play for the Rockets on Tuesday night because of a thumb sprain.
Houston is the second-highest scoring team in the league at 118.2 points per game this season. They are ranked 6th in rebounding at 46.3 boards grabbed per contest but are just 28th in passing at 21.6 assists per game. The Rockets own the 7th worst scoring-defense in the NBA at 114.5 points per game allowed.
The Los Angeles Lakers returned to their winning ways with a 129-102 domination of the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center on Tuesday night. The win was their second straight after the Lakers lost back to back games to the Sixers and Blazers with the death of Kobe Bryant and a postponed game against the Clippers in between.
LeBron James had a huge scoring night on Tuesday. King James poured in 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter while also adding 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma each scored 18 points for the purple and gold while JaVale McGee chipped in 14 points for Los Angeles.
The Lakers are 7th overall in scoring at 114.3 points per game. They are 8th in the league in rebounding at 46.1 boards grabbed per contest and are 6th in passing at 26.0 dimes per contest. Los Angeles ranks 6th in the NBA in scoring defense with only 106.8 opponent points per game allowed.
Who Wins?
Houston is 4-1 SU in their last five games played. The Rockets are 2-2 SU in their last four games played on the road. Los Angeles is 14-4 SU in their last 18 games played. The Lakers are 2-2 SU in their last four games played at home, 9-1 SU in their last 10 opponents from the Western Conference. Head to head, the Lakers have won two out of the last three meetings between these two teams.
The Rockets completed a trade that sent Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks. Russell Westbrook missed the Charlotte game with a sprained thumb but he should be good to go in this big matchup. James Harden scored 40 points in his previous game and it seems that his struggles are over as he’s scored at least 35 points in his last three games.
Los Angeles is still coping with the death of Kobe Bryant but after their 27-point home victory over the Spurs, the Lakers are back to their winning ways. LeBron James had a big scoring game against San Antonio and he is expected to lead the Lakers attack on Thursday night. Unless they engage in a trade, the Lakers should have a full roster against the Rockets.
The Lakers are 17-6 at home this season while the Rockets are 14-11 on the road this year. Los Angeles won their first meeting of the season in Houston and they should pick up a second one here. Without Capela, Houston is going to struggle with the Lakers’ size and I think that will be the key to victory here.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Other Bets to Make
The Rockets are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games played. Houston is 2-7 ATS in their last nine games played on the road, and 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games against the Pacific Division. The Lakers are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games played. Los Angeles is 2-2 ATS in their last four home games, 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games against the Southwest Division, and 13-7 ATS in their last 20 Thursday games. Head to head, the Lakers are 3-0 ATS in their last three meetings with the Rockets.
Rockets
+7.5 (-110)
Lakers
-7.5 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 02/06/20
Size should play a big factor here as the Lakers have a clear advantage in size. Anthony Davis only had 18 points in L.A.’s previous game but should have a field day against the Rockets who don’t have a legit big man with Capela gone. With Javale McGee and Dwight Howard, the Lakers should control the boards and get more opportunities to score. I like the Lakers to win here with Houston undersized and plugging in Covington and Bell who will take time to jell with their new teammates.
Prediction: Lakers -7.5
The total has gone over in five out of the last seven games played by the Rockets. The over is 3-1 in Houston’s last four road games, and also 4-2 in their last six games against the Western Conference. The total has gone over in 10 out of the last 12 games played by the Lakers. The over is 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last five home games. Head to head, the total has gone over in four out of the last five games between these two teams.
Over
236 (-110)
Under
236 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 02/06/20
The Rockets have scored at least 117 points in six out of their last eight games played and have given up 117 or more points in five out of their last seven outings. The Lakers have scored 119 or more points in four out of their last five games played and have allowed 113 or more points per game in three out of their last five outings. Both teams can score at will and Houston has a bottom 10 defense. I think this will be a wild west shootout.
Prediction: Over 236
Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 04/19/2023 NBA Odds and Prediction
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers 04/17/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction
Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees 04/14/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction
OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans 04/12/2023 NBA Play-in Tournament Odds and Prediction
