Lakers vs Rockets Picks and Predictions for January 12

LeBron James is leading the Lakers in scoring (24.0) on 48.5 percent shooting and assists (7.9), and his 8.3 rebounds are just behind Anthony Davis’ 8.6.

Jan 12, 2021 • 12:59 ET
LeBron James NBA Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers have cruised through the early part of the season, but things have not been quite as smooth in Houston for James Harden and the Rockets.

The Lakers are 8-3 for the season, including a 120-102 victory over this same Rockets team the last time out. The loss was Houston’s third in its last four games and they’ll be 5.5-point underdogs when they meet again Tuesday.

Let's check out our best Lakers vs. Rockets picks and predictions for Tuesday, January 12, with tipoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Betting Preview

Injuries

Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope G (Probable), Wesley Matthews G (Out), Jared Dudley F (Out).
Rockets: Eric Gordon G (Questionable), John Wall G (Questionable), Danuel House Jr. F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting Trend to Know

The Under is 5-0 in the Lakers' five road games this season, and 4-0-1 in the Rockets' last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Rockets.

 

Against the Spread (ATS) Pick

LeBron James is listed as questionable for this game, but that seems like a misnomer at this point in case he actually wants some rest. James has yet to take a game off this season, and considering this was the shortest offseason in NBA history, what the guy is doing is incredible. 

James is leading the Lakers in scoring (24.0) on 48.5 percent shooting and assists (7.9), and his 8.3 rebounds are just behind Davis’ 8.6. As some around the Covers office have said, “the dude is a cyborg.” While the offense is outstanding, what the Lakers are doing on the defensive end may be even more impressive.

Usually, with a team coming off a championship, and a shortened offseason, you could expect the effort on the defensive end to be lacking. But that has not been the case at all. The Lakers rank third in defensive rating, fourth in scoring defense, and fifth in opponent field goal percentage.

They used that defense to smother James Harden and the Rockets the last time they met, outrebounding them 49-43 and limiting them to 29 percent from 3-point range. 

The Lakers may not be that dominant this time around, but it seems like the Rockets just can’t match the Lakers' size and talent on the inside, not to mention their overall depth. Take the Lakers to win and cover their second straight game in Houston.

PREDICTION: Lakers -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under Pick

Someone who doesn’t look like he is putting the same effort in this season is James Harden, as the marriage appears to be over in Houston. The former MVP is averaging 26 points on 17 shots per game. Those are his lowest shooting numbers since 2013-14.

The once high-octane Rockets’ offense is 12th in offensive rating and 20th in pace, and frankly just isn’t clicking. The Rockets have scored 107 points or fewer in four of their last five games, resulting in the Under going 4-0-1 over that span. That’s likely to continue against the stout Lakers defense that allows an NBA-best 99.6 points per game on the road this season. 

With the Under also going 5-0 in the Lakers' five road games this season, we like that trend to continue Tuesday night in Houston.

PREDICTION: Under 222.5 (-110)

 

First-Half Spread

The last time these teams met, the Lakers had a fantastic second quarter, bringing a 19-point lead into the break. Don’t be surprised if that happens again. The Lakers' +4.4 first-half margin is the fifth-best in the NBA, while the Rockets come in at -0.5 per contest. With all the advantages the Lakers have, this is a nice number to bet in the first half.

PREDICTION: Lakers -2.5 (-110)

Lakers vs Rockets Betting Card

  • Lakers -4.5 (-110)
  • Under 222.5 (-110)
  • Lakers -2.5 First Half (-110)
NBA Parlays

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