If the Los Angeles Lakers plan to truly be in the conversation as contenders to the Golden State Warriors this postseason, the time to make a run is now. An injury to LeBron James sidetracked the team badly in late December and January but he is back healthy now.
As it currently stands the Lakers are outside of the playoff picture but there is still time to qualify for the postseason behind a healthy James leading the way. Los Angeles does not want to finish as the No. 8 seed because that would mean a likely meeting with the Warriors in the first round.
The Lakers have a tough game following the All-Star Break as they face off against the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles gets the home court advantage but Houston has the superior team so this could be an interesting matchup in NBA odds.
This NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 21st, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NBA season.
Odds Analysis
The Rockets have a record of 33-24 on the season. They have not played as well as expected this season but are still in the thick of the playoff race in the West despite a slow start to the year. Houston is currently sitting in fifth place in the conference but would love to move up to No. 2 or 3 to avoid the Warriors as long as possible in the postseason. Houston has gone just 13-15 on the road this year.
The Lakers are 28-29 on the season and have lost seven of their past 10 games. Los Angeles has been decent at home with a 16-12 record and badly needs to grab this victory. The Lakers are a different team with LeBron in the lineup and he is ready to go for this one in NBA betting lines.
Key Stat
3. That’s how many teams the Lakers would need to jump in order to get up to the No. 7 seed in the West, as they currently sit in tenth place in the conference. The Sacramento Kings are the team directly ahead of them while the Clippers currently hold the final playoff slot. The Lakers are four games behind both the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs for the seventh spot in the standings.
The Lakers may be able to make the postseason because they are better than the Kings and Clippers when James is healthy, but catching the Jazz or Spurs could be a tall task because both of those teams are solid.
Matchup To Watch
James Harden vs. LeBron James -- Two of the best players in the NBA will face off in this one, and if one outperforms the other, it could be enough to give his team the victory. Harden leads the league in scoring and is putting up points at a rate not seen since Michael Jordan early in his career.
James’ statistics are not as eye-popping but he always has another gear he can reach in important games. Look for James to match Harden play for play in this one to remind NBA fans that he is still the best player in the world.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Rockets have the superior all-around team, and the Lakers have dealt with both on-court struggles and off-court turmoil all year. However, the All-Star Break was a good time for everyone on Los Angeles to clear their heads. Look for James to lead the way and for his supporting cast to help out in this one.
The Lakers are the pick to knock off the Rockets and pick up a critical game in the West playoff race. Los Angeles is also the choice to cover in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 114, Houston Rockets 110
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