The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets came into the season with vastly different expectations – but both are in freefall as they tangle Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
The Lakers have dropped five consecutive games to drop below the .500 mark for the season, and tensions are beginning to run high in Tinseltown. But the Lakers are in a strong get-right position Tuesday against the bottom-feeder Rockets, who come in having lost four in a row.
Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Betting Odds
Oddsmakers can’t feel great about making the Lakers a comfortable favourite in this one, given that the Purple and Gold are a dismal 12-22 ATS for the season. The Rockets own the worst SU record in the Western Conference entering Tuesday, but are a respectable 16-17-1 ATS for the year, including a 7-7 mark at home. That said, the Lakers have won nine straight head-to-head meetings and are 6-3 ATS in those contests.
Tuesday’s total is sitting in the high-220s, with both teams skewing slightly toward the Over at an identical 18-16 O/U for the season. But the Lakers are trending in the opposite direction, having cashed the Under in seven of their previous 10 contests. And while the Rockets are a red-hot 5-1 to the Over in their last six overall, these teams have finished below the total in five straight meetings in Houston, and nine of their past 12 encounters overall.
Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook is done listening to the doubters. One of the most polarizing players in the NBA, Westbrook is used to criticism despite averaging a triple-double in three different seasons over his career – and he insists he has played well in his first season with the Lakers despite suggestions to the contrary. Westbrook enters Tuesday averaging 19.6 points, 8.1 assists and 7.9 rebounds but ranks outside the top-100 league-wide in Player Efficiency Rating.
Houston Rockets
To say the Rockets have had an up-and-down season so far is a massive understatement. Houston opened the campaign with one win in its first 17 games before reeling off seven straight victories – and has gone just 2-8 in 10 games since. Struggles at the defensive end have been largely to blame for the Rockets’ latest struggles: They’ve allowed an average of 125 points over the course of their four-game losing streak.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Rockets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 28 Dec 2:57pm | LAL | -5 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
| Closing 29 Dec 12:04am | LAL | -6.5 -115 | O +227 -110 |
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
30.27 |
| Assists |
7.05 |
| Rebounds |
9.85 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
17.91 |
| Assists |
6.16 |
| Rebounds |
10.09 |
| FG% |
70.7 |
| Steals |
1.13 |
| Blocks |
0.96 |
- Regular Season
Rockets Team Leaders
| Points |
30.27 |
| Assists |
7.05 |
| Rebounds |
9.85 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
2.25 |
| Points |
17.91 |
| Assists |
6.16 |
| Rebounds |
10.09 |
| FG% |
70.7 |
| Steals |
1.13 |
| Blocks |
0.96 |
Injuries
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)
Dwight Howard (C)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Russell Westbrook (PG)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Anthony Davis (PF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Christian Wood (PF)
Dennis Schroder (PG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Usman Garuba (PF)
Usman Garuba (PF)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Dennis Schroder (PG)
Chris Smith (SF)
Dennis Schroder (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talen Horton-Tucker (SG) | day-to-day | Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Dwight Howard (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Out Sun | Illness - 07 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Out Sun | Foot - 06 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Russell Westbrook (PG) | Out Sun | Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Prob Tues | Foot - 04 / 04 / 22 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Wenyen Gabriel (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Anthony Davis (PF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 02 / 04 / 22 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Wenyen Gabriel (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 | 3-4 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Wood (PF) | Mid April | Hamstring - 28 / 03 / 22 | 5-2 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Wood is sidelined due to a tight left hamstring, and he will miss the remainder of the regular season. |
|||||
| Dennis Schroder (PG) | Mid April | Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 22 | 5-2 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Schroder his out of the lineup due to a sore left shoulder, and he will not return for the remainder of the regular season. |
|||||
| Eric Gordon (SG) | Mid April | Groin - 27 / 03 / 22 | 6-2 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Gordon is idle with a sore right groin, and he will not be active for the rest of the regular season. |
|||||
| Eric Gordon (SG) | Out Sat | Rest - 26 / 03 / 22 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Gordon will not suit up for Saturday's matchup with the Trail Blazers as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Usman Garuba (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 25 / 03 / 22 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Garuba is dealing with an ankle sprain, but he is expected to participate in Friday's showdown with the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Usman Garuba (PF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 17 / 03 / 22 | 8-5 | 6-7 | + - |
|
Garuba has sat out the last three contests dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is undecided if he will participate in Wednesday's showdown with the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Eric Gordon (SG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 13 / 03 / 22 | 8-7 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Gordon has been absent from the previous four contests due to right knee tendinitis, but it is projected that he will be active for Monday's tilt against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Dennis Schroder (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 13 / 03 / 22 | 8-7 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Schroder sat out the last game with a non-COVID-19 illness, and it has yet to be established if he will battle the Suns on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Chris Smith (SF) | out for season | Knee - 10 / 03 / 22 | 9-8 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Smith is out of commission with a left knee sprain, and team officials project that he will not play in the 2021-22 season. |
|||||
| Dennis Schroder (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 10 / 03 / 22 | 9-8 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Schroder is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will play Friday against the Mavericks. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 28 Dec 2:57pm LAL -5 -110 O +228.5 -110 Closing 29 Dec 12:04am LAL -6.5 -115 O +227 -110 -
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 30.27
Assists 7.05
Rebounds 9.85
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 2.25
Points 17.91
Assists 6.16
Rebounds 10.09
FG% 70.7
Steals 1.13
Blocks 0.96
-
- Regular Season
Rockets Team Leaders
Points 30.27
Assists 7.05
Rebounds 9.85
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 2.25
Points 17.91
Assists 6.16
Rebounds 10.09
FG% 70.7
Steals 1.13
Blocks 0.96
-
Injuries
Talen Horton-Tucker (SG)
day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22Dwight Howard (C)
Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22Russell Westbrook (PG)
Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22Anthony Davis (PF)
Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22Wenyen Gabriel (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22Christian Wood (PF)
Mid April Hamstring - 28 / 03 / 22Dennis Schroder (PG)
Mid April Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 22Eric Gordon (SG)
Mid April Groin - 27 / 03 / 22Eric Gordon (SG)
Out Sat Rest - 26 / 03 / 22Usman Garuba (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 22Usman Garuba (PF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 17 / 03 / 22Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Mon Knee - 13 / 03 / 22Dennis Schroder (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 13 / 03 / 22Chris Smith (SF)
out for season Knee - 10 / 03 / 22Dennis Schroder (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Talen Horton-Tucker (SG) day-to-day Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Horton-Tucker exited Sunday's game with a left ankle sprain, and he will not return.
Dwight Howard (C) Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Howard will not take the court for Sunday's contest versus the Nuggets as he will be given a day of rest.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Out Sun Illness - 07 / 04 / 22 2-1 1-2 + - Anthony has been absent from the lineup during the past two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not play Sunday versus the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF) Out Sun Foot - 06 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Davis has been held out of the previous two games with a right mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Russell Westbrook (PG) Out Sun Shoulder - 06 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Westbrook has missed his second-straight game with a sore right shoulder, and he will not be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Anthony Davis (PF) Prob Tues Foot - 04 / 04 / 22 2-2 2-2 + - Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Tuesday's clash versus the Suns.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Gabriel is tending to a left ankle sprain, but he is projected to partake in Sunday's matchup with the Nuggets.
Anthony Davis (PF) Prob Sun Foot - 02 / 04 / 22 3-3 3-3 + - Davis is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will line up for Sunday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Prob Sun Illness - 01 / 04 / 22 3-4 4-3 + - Anthony missed the previous game with a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that he will suit up Sunday against the Nuggets.
Wenyen Gabriel (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 22 3-4 4-3 + - Gabriel is dealing with a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will dress for Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Christian Wood (PF) Mid April Hamstring - 28 / 03 / 22 5-2 5-2 + - Wood is sidelined due to a tight left hamstring, and he will miss the remainder of the regular season.
Dennis Schroder (PG) Mid April Shoulder - 28 / 03 / 22 5-2 5-2 + - Schroder his out of the lineup due to a sore left shoulder, and he will not return for the remainder of the regular season.
Eric Gordon (SG) Mid April Groin - 27 / 03 / 22 6-2 5-3 + - Gordon is idle with a sore right groin, and he will not be active for the rest of the regular season.
Eric Gordon (SG) Out Sat Rest - 26 / 03 / 22 6-3 5-4 + - Gordon will not suit up for Saturday's matchup with the Trail Blazers as he will be given a day of rest.
Usman Garuba (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 22 6-3 5-4 + - Garuba is dealing with an ankle sprain, but he is expected to participate in Friday's showdown with the Trail Blazers.
Usman Garuba (PF) Ques Wed Ankle - 17 / 03 / 22 8-5 6-7 + - Garuba has sat out the last three contests dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is undecided if he will participate in Wednesday's showdown with the Mavericks.
Eric Gordon (SG) Prob Mon Knee - 13 / 03 / 22 8-7 7-8 + - Gordon has been absent from the previous four contests due to right knee tendinitis, but it is projected that he will be active for Monday's tilt against the Wizards.
Dennis Schroder (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 13 / 03 / 22 8-7 7-8 + - Schroder sat out the last game with a non-COVID-19 illness, and it has yet to be established if he will battle the Suns on Wednesday.
Chris Smith (SF) out for season Knee - 10 / 03 / 22 9-8 9-8 + - Smith is out of commission with a left knee sprain, and team officials project that he will not play in the 2021-22 season.
Dennis Schroder (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 22 9-8 9-8 + - Schroder is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will play Friday against the Mavericks.