Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Houston Rockets (64-16) will try to win their regular-season series with the Los Angeles Lakers (34-46) on Tuesday when they visit them as solid road favorites. The Rockets have taken two of the first three meetings but lost 122-116 as 14.5-point home favorites the last time the teams squared off at the Toyota Center on December 20 despite 51 points from James Harden.
NBA point spread: The Rockets opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total is at 225, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 110.9-100.4, Rockets (NBA picks on every game)
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Why the Rockets can cover the spread
With only two games remaining in the regular season and the top seed in the Western Conference already locked up, it is hard to say if Harden and other key starters like point guard Chris Paul will rest in this spot.
Without Harden and/or Paul in the lineup, it may seem difficult to back the Rockets, but the Lakers have lost their last two home games by an average of 16 points since upsetting the San Antonio Spurs 122-112 as 6.5-point underdogs at Staples Center on April 4. Before beating the Spurs, Los Angeles had also lost three in a row, with two of those coming at home.
Why the Lakers can cover the spread
The Lakers have covered the spread in the past two meetings after closing as double-digit underdogs, including the upset victory. Each of the previous three games between the teams took place back in December when Los Angeles was playing some of its worst basketball, going 3-11 straight up and 7-7 against the spread during the month, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
Despite some more recent struggles, the Lakers have been a better team since the All-Star break, and they should be hungry to earn a regular-season split with the best team in the West here at home.
Smart betting pick
This matchup is tough to figure out based on who may or may not play for Houston, but seven of the past eight meetings have gone over the total regardless of which players have been in the lineup for either side. Both coaches favor a fast-paced game, so look for this one to finish above the total again for the ninth time in 10 meetings.
NBA betting trends
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
Houston is 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games on the road.
The total has gone over in four of Los Angeles' last six games.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.
