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The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Houston Rockets in a Western Conference matchup on Tuesday evening. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Lakers-Rockets prediction and pick.
The Lakers and Rockets will play on Tuesday as the NBA continues to navigate a Covid outbreak within the league. Several teams are missing multiple players, and we have seen everything from postponements to lineups that resemble a G League game. Los Angeles was hit hard a couple of weeks ago, and they still have four players in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Houston also has four players in the protocols, and their outbreak has been more recent. Each of these sides will be a bit shorthanded in this one, but at this point it is nothing new. Missing four or five players seems okay compared to teams like the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently missing ten players due to protocols. The Lakers come into this one as favorites over the Rockets to no surprise.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Lakers-Rockets odds for this Tuesday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Lakers-Rockets Odds
Los Angeles Lakers -5 (-105)
Houston Rockets +5 (-115)
Over 228 (-110)
Under 228 (-110)
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Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The Lakers will be missing six players on Tuesday. Four of them (Rajon Rondo, Kent Bazemore, Trevor Ariza, Austin Reaves) are in health and safety protocols, while Anthony Davis and Kendrick Nunn are injured. Los Angeles should have LeBron James as he is probable. James along with Russell Westbrook will look to lead the Lakers to a win over a Rockets team that could also be missing several players. The Lakers are 6-8 on the road this season, and they are 4-6 in their last ten games as they have battled the outbreak.
Los Angeles vs. the spread
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The Lakers have covered just one in their last five games, and it was a five-point loss to the Chicago Bulls. Los Angeles is just 6-17 vs. the spread as a favorite this season, and 1-5 as road favorites. Tread lightly, but this could be a spot for their second road cover of the season vs. a shorthanded, inexperienced Rockets team.
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
The Rockets will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak in this one but they are missing some of their more important players. The full injury report is not yet out with the Rockets on a back-to-back, but Houston is expected to be without DJ Agustin, Kenyon Martin Jr., Garrison Matthews and Jae'Sean Tate due to health and safety protocols. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. were both questionable for Wednesday's game vs. the Charlotte Hornets, but did not play. They could conceivably return to the lineup for this one.
Houston vs. the spread
The Rockets are 5-5 vs. the spread as home underdogs this season and 13-15-1 vs. the number as underdogs overall. Houston is 7-7 outright on their home floor this season, but will face an uphill battle in this one vs. LeBron James with some key players missing.
Final Lakers-Rockets Prediction and Pick
Take the Lakers to win and cover as road favorites vs. the Rockets in this one. Houston is missing a couple of key players in the backcourt, and getting young guys like Green and Porter Jr. back after extended absences to take their places could actually hurt the Rockets chances at a win more than it helps.
Final Lakers-Rockets Prediction & Pick: Lakers -5 (-105)
