The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Houston Rockets on Sunday in Game 4 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.
Despite being picked by virtually no one to win this series when it started, the Lakers now lead the series 3-0 after their heroic, improbable 112-108 overtime win in Game 3. They trailed by six points less than 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter when Marcus Smart stole the ball, was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made three free throws. LeBron James then came up with a steal of his own and then hit the trey that forced an extra session.
Austin Reaves, who sustained an oblique strain on April 2 and has been out for approximately three weeks, could return for Game 4. Kevin Durant missed Game 3 with an ankle sprain after sitting out Game 1 due to a knee contusion. Both stars are listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
Lakers vs Rockets injury reports
Lakers: Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) is questionable. Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) is out.
Rockets: Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) is questionable. Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) and Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair) are out.
Advice and Prediction:
Are the Rockets really going to allow themselves to be swept out of the playoffs, especially in front of their home fans in Houston, and especially after they were such big favorites to win the series when it started?
Traditionally, when a team leads an NBA playoff series 3-0, it has to fight off the urge to get complacent, and that fourth win is usually the toughest victory to achieve. Even if the team ahead in the series remains focused and hungry, the squad facing elimination will have a sense of urgency and desperation, at least for a little while, that could allow it to survive.
There is no doubt that the Rockets could be demoralized after the way they lost Game 3. However, they will surely come out and play like wounded animals on Sunday, and wounded animals are very dangerous, not to mention deadly. Los Angeles will have to weather what could be an early surge by the Rockets and at least keep this game close down the stretch.
It is hard to imagine Houston going down in four straight, especially if Durant is able to play on Sunday.
Prediction: Rockets 108, Lakers 103
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 4
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
