Lakers vs Rockets Pick – NBA Predictions & Odds 1/16/23

The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers do battle at the Crypto.com Arena on Monday night.

The Houston Rockets have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 15 of their last 16 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a 10-game slide after getting thrashed by the Clippers in a 121-100 road loss last night. Eric Gordon led the team with 24 points on eight of 16 shooting, Kenyon Martin Jr added 22 points on nine of 14 shooting while Alperen Sengun tallied 15 points with eight rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 45 percent from the field and seven of 31 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Clippers in a close contest, until the fourth quarter where they got outscored by 30-10 to get blown out in the end.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers look to have cooled off from their five-game win streak as they’ve now lost three in a row after falling just short to the 76ers in a 113-112 home defeat last night. LeBron James led the way with 35 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, Russell Westbrook racked up a triple-double of 20 points with 14 rebounds and 11 assists while Troy Brown chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 55 percent from the field and six of 20 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the 76ers in an arm wrestle before they came up just short with Westbrook missing the potential game-winner at the buzzer.

The Rockets could be shorthanded again as Kevin Porter Jr. is listed as day to day, while the Lakers will again be missing Austin Reaves, Patrick Beverley and Anthony Davis. The Rockets have been mired in their worst slump of the season, but they were right in the contest with the Clippers last night until the fourth quarter where they completely fell apart. The Lakers haven’t been at their best over their past three games, but they were close against the 76ers last night and I think they can get back on track with a win against this slumping Rockets squad.