Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Game 6 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
My oh my, what is happening in this Lakers vs. Rockets series? The Lakers had this all but wrapped up with a 3-0 series lead after miraculously erasing a six-point deficit with 25 seconds left in Game 3 in Houston. Since then, with their back completely against the wall and potentially head coach Ime Udoka’s job on the line, the Rockets have pulled out wins in Games 4 and 5, sending this series back to Houston for Game 6.
Game 5 was supposed to be it. Star Austin Reaves was cleared to play for the Lakers, while Kevin Durant was once again ruled out for the Rockets. The Lakers were favoured at home, and yet, the Rockets won 99-93.
Game 6 tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET Friday night at Toyota Center.
Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Betting Odds
Houston is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 206.5.
No team has ever won an NBA playoff series after going down 3-0, and only four of the 159 teams to start a series in such a hole have ever even forced a Game 7. In LeBron James’ storied 23-year career, his teams have never blown a 2-0 series lead.
Los Angeles Lakers
Previewing Game 5, we had mentioned the Lakers were 35-for-76 from downtown in the first three games, but just 5-of-22 in Game 4. It was more of the same in Game 5, as the Lakers went 7-for-27 from three. The Lakers have had to adjust to the Rockets’ change in defensive philosophy the last two games and feed DeAndre Ayton, but outside of his 18 points – all in the paint – and 17 rebounds on Wednesday, they could not generate consistent offence.
Reaves came off the bench, playing his first game since April 2, and started on fire by scoring eight points before missing a shot. That said, he ended up just 4-of-16 from the field, though he still found his way to 22 points thanks to 12 made free throws.
LeBron rebounded from a 2-of-9 outing with 25 points (17 in the second half) on 9-of-20 shooting and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard combined for 24 points and the Lakers got four bench points out of players not named Reaves.
The Lakers committed 15 turnovers, conceding 18 points. LA out-rebounded Houston by seven and won the paint-points and free-throw battles, but they got destroyed beyond the arc and on assists.
Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant has missed four games in this series and has already been ruled out for Game 6, but here the Rockets are.
Houston continued to dominate with adjusted new defensive game plan while leaning heavily on its starting unit in Game 5. The Rockets are making life difficult for the Lakers on the perimeter by pressuring the ball, contesting every jump-shot opportunity and running shooters off the three-point line.
They are funnelling the Lakers into the lane, which is why Ayton is finding success and Laker free-throw attempts have increased, but they can live with that because they are not getting burned by the Lakers’ variety of wing scorers and outside shooters.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason stepped up big in Game 5 with a combined 40 points, while Alperen Sengun delivered a near triple-double and Amen Thompson continues to be the alpha floor general and defensive guru.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Rockets Game 6?
How well the Lakers execute an adjusted offensive game plan in hostile territory remains to be seen. If Amen Thompson continues to play practically every minute and the Rockets continue to take away the three-point line, I don’t see how they lose Game 6 at home. The Rockets may finally run out of gas in Game 7, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I’m taking Houston to win and cover 106-100.
LAL
HOU