Earning a win and covering the 2-point spread will be the goals for the Lakers when they hit take on the Rockets on Tuesday in pro hoops betting action.
But the total might be the best bet, based on recent history. The past 5 meetings between these Western rivals all played OVER the total.
The Rockets bring a 24-22 record (23-22-1 ATS) to the battle against the 28-17 Lakers, who are 20-25 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Houston go 20-26 so far and the Lakers go 23-22. [ The early line Tuesday was -2 at Sportsbook ]
View LA Lakers vs Houston Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 18-rated Rockets and the No. 4-rated Lakers in this matchup. Predictive computer formulas point to a 98-96 win for the Lakers on Tuesday.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Houston's No. 9-ranked offense, averaging 97.7 PPG, against a Lakers defense that ranks No. 7 at 92.9 PPG. The Rockets field goal percentage has averaged 45.3% so far, almost the same as the Lakers shooters have achieved on the year, 45.3% per game.
Defensively, the Lakers feature the league's No. 16-rated defense on the road, allowing 97.3 points per game. Houston, meanwhile, comes in at No. 10 in the league in scoring at home.
Los Angeles was a 103-99 loser in its last match at home against the Jazz. They failed to cover the 11-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 202 sent OVER bettors to the payout window. The Lakers got a terrific 33-point performance from Andrew Bynum but Utah handed them a 103-99 defeat on Sunday at STAPLES Center.
Last time out for Houston, they were a 99-86 loser as they battled the Suns on the road. The Rockets failed to cover in the match as a 5.5-point underdog, while 185 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. The Rockets endured a 99-86 loss at the hands of the Suns on Sunday, despite an 18 -point effort from Luis Scola at US Airways Center.
Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Houston Rockets Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Golden State are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few Lakers at Rockets trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 10 games
Houston is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers at Dallas, Wednesday, March 21
Houston home to Golden State, Thursday, March 22
