Los Angeles Lakers (16-18) vs. Houston Rockets (10-24)
December 28, 2021 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Rockets 4.5; Over/Under: +229
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The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Toyota Center. The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap a five-game losing streak. The Houston Rockets need a win after losing six of their last seven games.
The Los Angeles Lakers are averaging 110 points on 46.1 percent shooting and allowing 112.3 points on 44.6 percent shooting. LeBron James is averaging 27.4 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Anthony Davis is averaging 23.3 points and 9.9 rebounds. Russell Westbrook is the third double-digit scorer and Carmelo Anthony is grabbing 4.2 rebounds. The Los Angeles Lakers are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. The Los Angeles Lakers are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.1 rebounds per game.
The Houston Rockets are averaging 106.8 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 114 points on 46 percent shooting. Christian Wood is averaging 17.2 points and 10.9 rebounds, while Eric Gordon is averaging 14.6 points and 1.7 rebounds. Jalen Green is the third double-digit scorer and Kevin Porter Jr. is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 34.2 percent from beyond the arc and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 34.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
The Lakers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Rockets are 16-37 ATS in their last 53 home games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 7-3 in Lakers last 10 overall. The over is 13-3 in Rockets last 16 overall. The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Houston.
I keep saying I’m done backing the Los Angeles Lakers in the favorite role, but what other option do I have here? The Houston Rockets have returned to earth where they’re getting destroyed nightly, and that includes losing last night to the Hornets by 24 points. The Rockets are losing their last five games by an average of 10.2 points. The Lakers have the rest advantage, and they’re desperate for a win. If LAL can’t win this game, just throw their whole season away. It’s Lakers or pass for me.
