The Los Angeles Lakers are making a push ahead of the trade deadline, winning their last two games to climb into the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference.
They’ll take on the Houston Rockets on Monday, and Houston is just 3-7 in its last 10 games, struggling mightily away from Toyota Center.
Luckily for the Rockets, they’ll be back at home tonight, where they are 16-8 on the season.
Los Angeles has taken two straight matchups in this series, but the Rockets can even the season series at two games apiece with a win tonight. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis listed as questionable, this game is set as a pick’em at several sportsbooks.
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Here’s a look at the latest odds and my best bet for Monday’s matchup:
Lakers vs. Rockets odds, spread and total
Lakers vs. Rockets how to watch
- Date: Monday, Jan. 29
- Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Toyota Center
- How to watch (TV): Spectrum Sportsnet, Space City Home Network
- Lakers record: 24-23
- Rockets record: 21-24
Lakers vs. Rockets injury reports
Lakers injury report
- LeBron James – questionable
- Anthony Davis – questionable
- Cam Reddish – out
- Gabe Vincent – out
Rockets injury report
- Tari Eason – out
- Victor Oladipo – out
Lakers vs. Rockets key players to watch
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James: Even at 39 years old, James is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. Over his last six games, James is averaging 27.2 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc. He’s had up and down games against Houston this season, scoring 18, 16 and 37 points in three meetings.
Houston Rockets
Alperen Sengun: There’s a chance that Sengun can be an All-Star this season, and this is a matchup to give himself a late boost against another All-Star candidate in Lakers big man Anthony Davis. This season, Sengun is averaging 21.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
Lakers vs. Rockets prediction and pick
I think the Lakers are undervalued in this matchup, as the Rockets have not been the same team that they were early on in the season.
Since moving to 13-9 on Dec. 15, the Rockets are just 8-15 and have slipped out of the Play-In tournament field in the Western Conference.
They haven’t played the Lakers over that stretch, but Los Angeles still won two matchup against Houston after dropping the first meeting on Nov. 8.
Los Angeles has looked better as of late, especially D’Angelo Russell, and I’d be shocked to see the Lakers sit James and Davis in this game after the team had Sunday off.
I’ll gladly take an improved Lakers team as a pick’em against the struggling Rockets, even though Hosuton has been successful at home.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.