The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are both down some serious talent right now, but there is one key player ready to go when they face off this week. Houston superstar James Harden is on a tremendous hot streak right now, almost single-handedly willing his team up the standings.
The Lakers are heading in the other direction as LeBron James remains sidelined with a groin injury. Los Angeles is the road team in this matchup against the Rockets and will be a heavy underdog. The Lakers have dropped out of the top eight in the West and all the work James did to get them near the top of the standings has been undone.
It will take a big upset for the Lakers to win this game as James is not expected to play again in NBA gambling.
This NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 19th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
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Odds Analysis
The Lakers have a record of 24-21 on the season. They were recently surpassed by the Jazz for the No. 8 seed in the West but many teams are still jumbled tightly together. Los Angeles has not been very good on the road this year with nine wins in 21 games.
The Rockets have a mark of 25-19 on the year, moving up to the No. 5 seed in the West after a slow start. Houston has been impressive at home with 16 wins in 23 games.
Houston wasn’t scoring close to last year’s average early in the year but has picked it up of late, so it will be interesting to see where the oddsmakers place the scoring total in NBA betting.
Player To Watch
Harden -- The Rockets guard is making a case to win the MVP once again. He is having a phenomenal season as his scoring average is up to 34.8 points per game, while Harden is adding 8.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free throw line.
Harden scored 57 points two games ago in a win over the Grizzlies and followed it up with 58 last time out, although the Rockets fell to the Nets. Harden is scoring at a pace which hasn’t been seen in the NBA for a long time and the Lakers figure to have few answers to his greatness.
Injury Report
Harden is taking over games regularly because his supporting cast has been decimated by injuries. Point guard Chris Paul remains out with a hamstring injury, while forward Clint Capela was recently lost for several weeks due to a thumb injury. Shooting guard Eric Gordon is also out but has an outside chance of returning for this game, so keep an eye on his status.
Even though the Rockets are short-handed, at least they have Harden. The Lakers have played very poorly without James, who is not expected to play in this game. Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo is also injured, robbing the Lakers of two experienced players.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Harden doesn’t have a lot of scoring help right now but it doesn’t matter because he is absolutely taking over games. The Lakers’ defense has been problematic and Harden figures to have another big game. Houston should win this game at home, but see where the spread comes in for this one because it’s possible Los Angeles sticks around and covers the spread.
This one should be a fast-paced affair and the “over” should be considered on the scoring total in NBA betting lines.
NBA ATS Pick: Houston Rockets 124, Los Angeles Lakers 121
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