-
Andrew Rogers
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 4 Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
L.A. lost the first game in each of its first two series, but has roared back to take a lead against the Rockets just as it did vs. Portland. Houston, on the other hand, is reeling as it looks to get back to what has made it successful so far.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers have gone 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games, and enter Thursday as five-point favourites (and -223 on the moneyline) after comfortably covering at -4 in a 112-102 victory in Game 3. The public is squarely on board with the favourites, with 70 percent of Sports Interaction participants siding with the Lakers. And while L.A.’s resurgence is likely the catalyst, it doesn’t help that the Rockets are a dismal 2-6 ATS in their last eight games.
The total has fallen in three straight games, reaching a new low of 220 in Game 4 (for context, Game 1 saw a total of 227). The teams have hit the Under in two of their first three meetings, and that has led to a whopping 68 percent of Sports interaction bettors taking the U220. Houston is riding a 1-5 O/U trend over its previous six games – and with these teams playing at the slowest pace of any of the four second-round series, more Unders could be in the offing.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers positively shredded Houston’s once-mighty defence Tuesday night, shooting better than 55 percent from the field. And that kind of dominance should make Houston backers sweat, since L.A. shot just 33 percent from 3-point range. Houston’s small-ball lineup has had no answers for the size and skill of the Lakers’ best players, with Anthony Davis and LeBron James combining to average 56.3 points and 21.7 rebounds in the series.
Houston Rockets
To say that the Rockets live and die by the 3-pointer is a massive understatement – which makes what happened in Game 3 truly concerning. Houston attempted just 30 shots from long range, making 12 – and that wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with the hot-shooting Lakers. They did, however, receive some good news, with forward Robert Covington expected to play after leaving late in Game 3 following a collision with Davis.
LAL
HOU