The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
Game 1 went to the Lakers by the score of 107-98, as they took advantage of a Rockets squad that was without Kevin Durant due to a knee contusion. They shot 60.6% from the field and 52.6% from 3-point range, and while they gave up 21 offensive rebounds and committed 20 turnovers, they were able to win by holding Houston to 37.6% field-goal shooting.
Durant’s status moving forward is in question, as he’s reportedly dealing with a patellar tendon bruise, and he’s expected to be a game-time decision for Game 2. Another victory by the Lakers would put them in the driver’s seat in this series, something that seemed nearly impossible going into Game 1.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
Lakers vs Rockets injury reports
Rockets: Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) is questionable. Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) and Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair) are out.
Lakers: Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) are out.
Advice and Prediction:
It seems unlikely that Lakers guard Luke Kennard will have another explosion in this series like the one he had in Game 1 when he scored a game-high 27 points and shot 9-of-13 overall while hitting all five of his 3-point attempts. One has to expect Houston to stick to him like industrial-strength glue, but on the other hand, he has shown his ability to operate as both a scorer and facilitator off the dribble.
LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in Game 1, and as the contest wore on, he found success offensively by getting deep post position and taking advantage of single coverage. Will the Rockets double-team him when he posts up and gets into the paint? That sounds like a wise adjustment, but of course, James has killed many a team by getting assists and hockey assists when covered by two men.
The keys for Los Angeles in this key will be the same as they were for Game 1: control the boards, especially its defensive boards, limit its turnovers and win the possession battle. Houston attempted 93 shots in Game 1 as opposed to just 66 for L.A., and that disparity has to improve. It would also help if L.A. got a lot more than the four fast-break points it logged on Saturday.
Houston will have more urgency in Game 2, and given how short-handed the Lakers are, one has to expect Houston to win this one.
Prediction: Rockets 109, Lakers 104
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Prediction and betting odds for Lakers vs. Rockets Game 1
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
