The Houston Rockets pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day. Here’s a Lakers vs Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have gone cold lately as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall, and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting routed by the Clippers in a 128-108 road defeat on Tuesday. Kevin Durant led the team with 22 points on eight of 15 shooting, Alperen Sengun tallied 19 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists while Amen Thompson chipped in with 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists on seven of 10 shooting. As a team, the Rockets shot 50 percent from the field and nine of 30 from the 3-point line as they poured in 35 points in the first half to jump out in front early. However, they allowed the Clippers to get on a roll and couldn’t respond after allowing 35 points in the third quarter to trail by 26 points. The Rockets got next to nothing from their bench, as no reserve player scored more than Reed Sheppard, who finished with just eight points on three of nine shooting.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in a bit of a rut, as they’ve lost five of their last nine games. They will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting scorched by the Suns in a 132-108 road defeat on Tuesday. LeBron James led the team with 23 points and six assists on seven of 14 shooting, Austin Reaves added 17 points off the bench, while Marcus Smart chipped in with 14 points and six assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 32 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Suns from the tipoff and trailed by 10 points going into halftime. Things only got worse in the third quarter, where they allowed 45 points to trail by as many as 32 points at one stage.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last 12 night games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have won each of their last eight games against the Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six night games.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against Rockets teams that held a winning record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The favorites have won each of the Rockets’ last 14 games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five Christmas Day home games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Rockets’ last four games at Crypto.com Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last 11 home games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets’ last six night games have gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (71.1%) this season.
- Austin Reaves is one of only five players in the league to have scored 40+ points in consecutive games this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Tari Eason ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (50.8%) this season.
- Steven Adams ranks 4th amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (14.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.8).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.5%).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.7).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (38.2).
Lakers vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still keeping an eye on Dorian Finney-Smith, Alperen Sengun and Jae’Sean Tate, who are all questionable, while the Lakers have listed Jaxson Hayes and Luka Doncic as questionable. This is definitely one of those games where you should check the lineups before tip-off, given the injury cloud hanging over the Lakers’ Luka Doncic. The Rockets have been struggling lately, but they are still good enough to take down a banged up Lakers squad, who struggle without Doncic. This one could go either way, but I am leaning towards the Rockets to get the win and cover at the short line in this spot.