The Los Angeles Lakers (0-1), 3-point underdogs, get their home schedule underway at Staples Center against the Houston Rockets (0-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 235.5 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 20, 2018.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Odds
Both teams fell in their last outing. The Rockets (8-point favorites) were defeated by the New Orleans Pelicans, 131-112, while the Lakers (3-point underdogs) fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 128-119. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Houston game went 11 points over the projected point total of 232, while the Los Angeles game finished 23 points over the projected point total of 224.
Houston did a great job of making free throws (18-24; 75.0 percent) while Los Angeles had a better effective field goal percentage (0.522 vs. 0.505). Los Angeles received a boost from LeBron James, who finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, James Harden played a pivotal role for Houston with 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles might have trouble finding the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Houston ranks eighth in defensive efficiency, while the Lakers rank 24th in offensive efficiency since last season. The Rockets should have an edge in terms of ball security. They rank 5th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while the Lakers have forced the ninth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.2 percent).
The Rockets are 65-18 straight up (SU) and 48-45-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Just over half of Houston games have finished over the O/U total since last season.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, are 35-48 SU and 37-44-2 ATS since last season. Games involving Los Angeles have finished over the O/U total 53.0 percent of the time over that same stretch.
The Rockets took this series last year, winning three out of four games. In the last matchup, Houston won 105-99. One of Houston’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 15-16 (93.8 percent), while the Lakers were 13-15 (86.7 percent).
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Lakers rank second in rebounds per game (46.4) while the Rockets rank 19th (43.3).
- Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (52.1) while Houston ranks 28th (41.1).
- The Lakers rank second in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Rockets rank 22nd (11.5).
- Houston averages 8.4 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Los Angeles ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- Houston ranks 11th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.5) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (18.3).
- The Rockets rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while the Lakers rank 27th (5.5).
- The Rockets average 41.9 three pointers per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Lakers rank 20th in three pointers allowed per game (30.2).
- Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.7) while Houston ranks 17th (11.2).
- Los Angeles ranks seventh in assists per game (23.8) while Houston ranks 28th (21.1).
- Los Angeles is 13-5 when they allow less than 100 points, while Houston is 38-3.
- The Lakers are 32-30 when they reach the century mark, while the Rockets are 71-16.
