The Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets duke it out in Game 4 at the Toyota Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Rockets vs. Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Rockets vs. Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers came into this series as underdogs because two of their best players in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out, but now they are just one win away from completing the sweep over the Rockets after winning Game 3 by 112-108 in overtime on Friday. LeBron James led the team with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists on 10 of 22 shooting; Rui Hachimura added 22 points on eight of 14 shooting; Marcus Smart tallied 21 points with 10 assists, while Luke Kennard chipped in with 12 points off the bench. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 29 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 15-point lead and the game looked to be over late in the fourth quarter as the Lakers trailed by six points with just 25.5 seconds left on the clock before they forced overtime and ran past the Rockets in one of the wildest finishes in the last few years.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets looked like they were able to make their mark in the series for the first time, but they are suddenly battling just for their season after coming up painfully short in Game 3. Alperen Şengün led the team with 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists on 15 of 27 shooting; Amen Thompson added 26 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 24 points on eight of 16 shooting. As a team, the Rockets shot just 41 percent from the field and 11 of 39 from the 3-point line as they worked so hard to overcome an early 15-point lead to lead late in the fourth quarter, but they fouled the Lakers’ Marcus Smart on a 3-point attempt with just 25.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter and that ended up costing them in overtime, where Smart scored eight points to the Rockets’ seven points.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Lakers have lost nine of their last 10 playoff road games.
- The Rockets have won eight of their last nine home games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 16 night games following an overtime win.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in five of their last six home games after coming off overtime.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 10 games after winning as underdogs.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last four playoff games as favorites.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last eight games at Toyota Center against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last five home games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the Lakers’ last five games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Alperen Sengun ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (1008) this season.
- Amen Thompson ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (7.8) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luke Kennard ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (47.8%) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (5.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.1).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (15.0).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.5).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.2%).
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic again but there is some hope for Austin Reaves as he has been upgraded to a game-time decision, while the Rockets are sweating on the availability of Kevin Durant, who is a game-time decision with that ankle sprain. The Lakers certainly hold all the momentum now and they could be getting Reaves back in action, which would obviously be a major boost, but the Rockets are playing for their season now and they are much more dangerous with Durant in the lineup. This is a tough one to pick, but while it’s tempting to take the Lakers with the points, I will go with the Rockets to avoid complete embarrassment by fending off the series sweep with a much-needed win and cover.