If the Houston Rockets have designs of turning the season around and becoming a true contender in the Western Conference, they better start soon. The team that made the Western Conference Finals a season ago is not looking like that caliber in the 2018-19 season. Houston is under .500 still and outside the playoff picture, so every win at this point is huge. The Rockets will host the Los Angeles Lakers this week in a pivotal Western Conference showdown.
Los Angeles started slowly as well but has since picked it up. The top of the West is muddled but the Lakers are right there within the group of teams. The Lakers have been average on the road this season and hopes that will change but will likely be the underdog in NBA wagering.
This NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas at 8 p.m ET on Thursday, December 13th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on TNT.
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Odds Analysis
The Rockets have a record of just 11-14 on the season. They were dominant at home last season but are just 5-5 in their own arena this year. Houston has the same top players with James Harden and Chris Paul but it has not clicked yet with the season a quarter of the way finished.
The Lakers are 16-10 on the season. They are 6-6 away from home and this would be a big win. It is hard to know who is the second-best team in the West behind the Warriors. Houston was assumed to have that title heading into the season but perhaps Los Angeles will emerge.
Matchup To Watch
LeBron James vs. James Harden -- Two of the best players in the NBA will go head-to-head in this one. James is 34 years old now but isn't slowing down one bit, and is always capable of putting on a show, especially in primetime. He is averaging 28.3 points. 7.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists on the year, all of which lead the team.
Harden is coming off an MVP season and is putting up gaudy numbers once again. He is averaging 30.0 points and 8.3 assists. Harden is going to get his points in this one, but the Lakers are going to want to force him into tough shots. If Harden is inefficient it could give the Lakers enough room to pull off the upset.
Injury Report
Lakers forward Brandon Ingram sprained his ankle recently and won’t be available for this matchup. It is a big loss as he is averaging 15.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Ingram has stepped up as one of the main complements to James and the team is hoping to get him back relatively soon.
Point guard Rajon Rondo is also out for the Lakers but Lonzo Ball is doing a good enough job in his absence and the two are similar players.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Rockets could blame their slow start on suspensions and injuries but now they have everyone in the fold and need to turn it on. Houston gets this one at home which should make it a slight favorite. The Lakers don’t play the best defense and the Rockets’ shooting should be good in this one.
Look for Houston to shake off its early issues with a win in this game. The Rockets are also the choice to cover the spread. The “over” should be considered as this one should be an entertaining up-and-down affair with plenty of points in NBA betting.
NBA ATS Pick: Houston Rockets 127, Los Angeles Lakers 120
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