The Houston Rockets welcome a familiar face back to their lineup when they begin the second half to their regular season when they visit LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lake Show aim to bounce back from a rough patch before the All-Star break and reclaim a spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Rockets finished the first half of the campaign at 33-24 straight up (SU) and 26-30-1 against the spread (ATS). That’s good enough for first place in the Southwest division, but well off the pace of the club’s 65-win output last season.

Houston is coming off a 121-111 loss to Minnesota despite being listed as a 4-point road favourite. The Rockets have struggled to take off away from Houston all season long. The team is just 13-15 SU and 10-18 ATS away from home.

Even worse for Houston supporters – the Rockets are just 6-12 against the number when giving points on the road.

The Rockets are allowing more than seven points more per game to opponents this year compared to last. Astute NBA total bettors have been able to capitalize on Houston’s struggles to defend. The over is 32-24-1 in the team’s games and 5-2-1 in the last seven contests before the break.

The Los Angeles Lakers went out with a whimper before the All-Star weekend. LA lost outright to the lowly Atlanta Hawks two nights after getting embarrassed by Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers are one of the worst ATS bets in the NBA and they begin the second half of the campaign three games back of the final playoff spot in the West.

Houston Rockets

The one-man show in Houston could be coming to a close soon. James Harden is still a serious contender to win a second consecutive MVP award thanks in large part to his current streak of 31 games with 30 or more points scored.

Chris Paul is back and, while he’s looking a step slower than this time last year, he’s still a threat with the ball in his hands. He’s averaging 17.3 points and 8.2 assists per game this month.

Houston backers are even more excited about the return of Clint Capela. The Rockets’ third star has missed the last 15 games because of a thumb injury. Capela is averaging 17.6 points and 12.6 rebounds this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The trade deadline came and went, and the Lakers weren’t able to bring in Anthony Davis. Now, LeBron James has to make up with his group of younger teammates who were thrust into trade rumours in the effort to bring the ‘Brow to LA.

The Lakers continue to play without point guard Lonzo Ball. The second-year playmaker is still dealing with a nasty ankle sprain he picked up last month.

Injuries

Houston

Kenneth Faried (PF)

Ques Fri Personal - 08 / 05 / 19

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Ques Fri Toe - 05 / 05 / 19

Austin Rivers (PG)

Prob Tues Illness - 28 / 04 / 19

Clint Capela (C)

Prob Wed Illness - 23 / 04 / 19

Clint Capela (C)

Prob Sun Illness - 12 / 04 / 19

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 07 / 04 / 19

Iman Shumpert (SG)

Out Wed Rest - 03 / 04 / 19

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 27 / 03 / 19

Kenneth Faried (PF)

Prob Tues Knee - 26 / 03 / 19

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 25 / 03 / 19

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Injuries

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kenneth Faried (PF)	Ques Fri	Personal - 08 / 05 / 19	2-0	0-1-1	+ -
Faried is tending to a personal matter and it is unclear if he will play against the Warriors in Game 6 of the Western Conference second round.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Ques Fri	Toe - 05 / 05 / 19	3-1	2-1-1	+ -
House Jr. has inflammation in his right toe and it is unknown if he will be available for Game 6 of the Western Conference second round versus the Warriors.
Austin Rivers (PG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 28 / 04 / 19	4-2	2-3-1	+ -
Rivers is ailing from an illness but the symptoms are expected to subside in time for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round against the Warriors.
Clint Capela (C)	Prob Wed	Illness - 23 / 04 / 19	5-3	2-5-1	+ -
Capela is ailing from adenovirus and a klebsiella infection but is likely to play against the Jazz in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Clint Capela (C)	Prob Sun	Illness - 12 / 04 / 19	7-4	3-7-1	+ -
Capela is battling an illness but is expected to suit up against the Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 07 / 04 / 19	9-4	4-7-2	+ -
House Jr. is likely to play against the Suns on Sunday despite a left knee contusion.
Iman Shumpert (SG)	Out Wed	Rest - 03 / 04 / 19	12-4	6-8-2	+ -
Shumpert will not play Wednesday against the Clippers as he will be given the night off to rest.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 27 / 03 / 19	13-5	6-10-2	+ -
Gordon is expected to play Thursday against the Nuggets despite a right ankle sprain.
Kenneth Faried (PF)	Prob Tues	Knee - 26 / 03 / 19	14-5	6-11-2	+ -
Faried is sidelined due to left knee soreness but is likely to return against the Kings on Tuesday.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 25 / 03 / 19	14-5	6-11-2	+ -
Gordon is battling a sprained right ankle but it is likely he will play Tuesday against the Bucks.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Rockets vs. Lakers Prediction