The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a convincing win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, and they are back in action on Wednesday to take on the Western Conference’s worst team, the Houston Rockets.
Houston is coming off a massive upset win over the Boston Celtics at home, but this game it is only getting 3.5 points against a Lakers team that won’t have Anthony Davis or LeBron James due to foot injuries.
Davis, who injured his foot earlier this season, is sitting the second night of a back-to-back to avoid worsening the injury.
Los Angeles holds the No. 10 spot in the West entering this game, and it could afford to squander a game to Houston. Here’s how you should bet on this matchup:
Lakers vs. Rockets odds, spread and total
Lakers vs. Rockets prediction and pick
Last night, I recommended to take the Lakers on the moneyline in a pick’em scenario, and tonight I think the same bet is in order.
The Lakers on the moneyline.
Los Angeles, even without Davis, has much more offensive talent than it did earlier in the 2022-23 season, and D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder and company should be enough to take down Houston.
The Lakers are 9-4 since the trade deadline, meanwhile Houston has one of the worst all-around attacks in the NBA.
The Rockets rank 28th in offensive rating, 29th in defensive rating and 29th in net rating so far this season.
Houston is due for a letdown game after upsetting Boston, so I’ll back Los Angeles without Davis to win this game.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.