If you can't make 3-pointers against the Houston Rockets, you're probably going to lose. The Los Angeles Lakers learned that the hard way in Game 1, and they'll need to make their long-range shooting the focus as they aim to rebound Sunday night in Game 2 at AdventHealth Arena. James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 60 points in Houston's 112-97 Game 1 win.
- Date/Time: September 6, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: AdventHealth Arena
- TV Coverage: ABC
- Sportsbook Odds: LA Lakers -5 | O/U 226.5 (Line History)
- Rockets vs. Lakers (Matchup Report)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Lakers opened at -5, but have risen to -5.5 in most spots after falling by 15 as 6.5-point favorites in Game 1. The total of 226.5 has dropped by 2.5 points at the majority of sportsbooks.
Houston News & Notes
The Rockets didn't live by the 3-pointer in Game 1 – they took just 39 after averaging roughly 50 per game in Round 1 against Oklahoma City. Instead, they were downright deadly from 2-point range, connecting on 25 of 42 attempts thanks largely to efficient performances from Harden (12-of-20 shooting) and Eric Gordon (who added 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting).
The scariest part for Lakers fans and backers: Houston has plenty of room to grow. It finished with just 19 assists against 14 turnovers (Westbrook and Harden struggled in this regard with a combined 11 assists and 10 TOs). And after shooting just 14-of-39 from beyond the arc in the opener, you can likely expect an uptick in attempts (and likely makes) in Game 2.
LA Lakers News & Notes
Los Angeles was well rested after eliminating Portland in five games, but that actually might have worked against it as the Lakers struggled to keep up with Houston's speedy lineup. Houston turned 17 L.A. turnovers into 27 points while limiting the Lakers' star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to just 45 points; they averaged 57.2 combined points against the Trail Blazers
On the Lakers' to-do list ahead of Game 2: get the 3-point shot going. A 28.2-percent showing in Game 1 dropped Los Angeles' playoff success rate from beyond the arc to 33.3 percent, the lowest of any playoff team still in action. And much of the blame for that belongs on the shoulders of J.R. Smith and Kyle Kuzma, who combine to average 27.1 percent on 8.5 attempts per game.
Betting Pick: OVER 224 (-110)
Both teams have more to offer on offense than they showed in Game 1; look for the Lakers to find ways to capitalize on the Rockets' small-ball lineup, and for Houston to get back to launching 50+ 3-pointers.
- LA Lakers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games.
- Houston is 2-4 ATS in its past six games.
- The UNDER is 4-1 in Houston's last five games.
