L.A. Lakers at Houston
Time: 7 PM CT, TNT
Spread: HOU -5.5
Total: 225.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The Houston Rockets have struggled mightily after finishing with one of the league’s best records a year ago. At two games under .500, Houston will host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 PM (CT) on TNT as 5.5-point favorites according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes. The over/under is set at 225.5 points for the affair.
HOU
Houston most recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a 111-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at home. Houston prior to that game had lost to Dallas, Utah, and Minnesota, in succession. In its win over Portland, it held the Blazers to 43.7 percent shooting, though it was out-rebounded by two boards. Chris Paul tallied a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds, but he also shot just 2 of 12 from the field. James Harden led Houston with 29 points on 10 of 21 shooting, but he finished with a -15 mark for his 39 minutes of court time (Conversely, Paul was +8).
Houston has struggled with its defense this season, giving up 109.5 points per game (which actually ranks No. 12 in the Association this high scoring season). The Rockets manage to tally 108.4 points per game itself, but rebounding has been a serious issue, ranking No. 27 in the Association at 41.0 rebounds per game. The Rockets have been very pleased with the progression of its top rebounder Clint Capela, though. He ranks No. 2 on the team in scoring at 17.4 points per game and leads the team in boards with 11 per night. Harden has been his typical self, but Houston is really struggling with its second unit production.
After jettisoning a Carmelo Anthony who was unwilling to be the bench’s savior, it is unclear where the scoring will come from outside of sharpshooter Eric Gordon. Gordon, though, has had his struggles shooting the ball as he is connecting on just 37 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range.
Houston launches 41.7 threes per game, but it connects on just 33.6 percent of those, and its overall field goal percentage hovers under 45 percent. It is tough to place a ton of blame on the offense, given that Houston is getting so much from its starters, but the defensive effort has to improve while maintaining what has gone right—on the offensive end. Depth and defense remain Houston’s top-two problems.
LAL
The L.A. Lakers took a while to hit stride, but now the team is playing like a typical LeBron James-led team. That is to say, it is winning, and a lot. The Lakers have won six of its past seven games to improve to 17-10 on the season, and everything seems to be falling into place for James’ Lakers. James is averaging 28 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, while his top teammate has been Kyle Kuzma.
The second-year forward emerged as one of the steals of the 2017 draft, and he has been fairly strong for the Lakers in averaging just under 18 points per game while shooting 32 percent on his 5.7 threes per game.
The Lakers attempt 30.4 triples per contest while connecting on 35 percent. The overall field goal percentage is an impressive 47.4 for the team, and the Lakers average 113.1 points per game, ranking No. 9 in the Association. Its defense has improved but is still no better than middle-of-the-pack in holding teams to 110.9 per game.
Over its last two games though, it has allowed just 105 points to the Miami Heat in a victory and it held Memphis to just 88 points two games ago. Those signs are positive for the Lakers, and it stands to reason that LAL will be in the mix with the top teams in the Western Conference given its recent improvements and overall high talent level on the roster.
