PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOTAL MASSACRE >> Off GAME OF THE YEAR WINNER!
(NBA) Houston vs. LA Lakers,
Total: 225.00 | -102.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 225.00 | -102.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Houston Rockets are currently 17-4 and have pretty much owned the West's best record since the beginning of the current season (once the Clippers' 4-0 quickly disappeared). Houston just completed a 4-0 homestand and will open a three-game road trip at the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center. You may have heard that LA has a rookie PG named Lonzo Ball. Lonzo is working on one of the NBA's worst-ever shooting seasons and after the team's fourth loss in a row (115-100 in Denver last night), the 8-14 Lakers will be hard-pressed to find the energy to keep up with the high-scoring Rockets.
Houston: After taking four straight during its just completed homestand (by an average of 20 points per), Houston has won six in a row and 12 of 13. The Rockets' current six-game run, during which they have averaged 120.7 PPG, coincides with the return of PG Chris Paul from a knee injury. The veteran has been running the show with incredible efficiency, handing out 72 assists while committing only nine turnovers in seven games this season. "The court's so open, you get in there, you make the easy play for the most part," Paul told reporters. "I don't expect to have any (turnovers). It's like a quarterback. You don't plan to have interceptions because every time you turn it over, it's an opportunity for the other team." James Harden is leading the NBA in scoring (31.5) and assists (9.8), while also adding 5.2 RPG. Gordon got extra "PT' with Paul sidelined and is the team's second-leading scorer at 19.2 PPG. With Paul now playing regularly (11.1 & 10.3 APG), the Rockets have six players in double digits and check in at 113.9 PPG (2nd-best). The defense has been plenty good enough, allowing 103.1 PPG (9th).
LA Lakers: The Lakers were 8-10 before their four-game skid. LA is in a 15-game stretch in which the Lakers play the top two teams in the Western Conference, the Rockets and Golden State Warriors, three times each. They played well in their first meeting of the season against the Warriors on Wednesday, losing 120-115 in overtime after missing a game-winning shot at the end of regulation. They overcame a 12-point deficit to take a four-point halftime lead Saturday night at Denver, but were then outscored 15-0 over the final 3:43 of the 115-100 loss. Ball actually leads LA in rebounding and assists (7.1 per in each) but there are no words to describe his horrific shooting. The numbers say, 31.8% from the floor, including 25.7% on threes.
The pick: The Rockets have won their last five road contests by an average of 21.6 PPG and are 9-1 on the road this season. Houston just completed a 12-1 November, outscoring its opponents by an average of 16.769 points, the largest margin of victory for the month since the Boston Celtics won by an average of 16.833 points in 1963. "We're winning by big margins, but we're not playing great," Houston forward P.J. Tucker told the Houston Chronicle. "We have to challenge ourselves to get better." The Lakers allowed 118.8 PPG during their four-game slide and just how will they slow the Rockets? The Over is a 10* play.
Houston: After taking four straight during its just completed homestand (by an average of 20 points per), Houston has won six in a row and 12 of 13. The Rockets' current six-game run, during which they have averaged 120.7 PPG, coincides with the return of PG Chris Paul from a knee injury. The veteran has been running the show with incredible efficiency, handing out 72 assists while committing only nine turnovers in seven games this season. "The court's so open, you get in there, you make the easy play for the most part," Paul told reporters. "I don't expect to have any (turnovers). It's like a quarterback. You don't plan to have interceptions because every time you turn it over, it's an opportunity for the other team." James Harden is leading the NBA in scoring (31.5) and assists (9.8), while also adding 5.2 RPG. Gordon got extra "PT' with Paul sidelined and is the team's second-leading scorer at 19.2 PPG. With Paul now playing regularly (11.1 & 10.3 APG), the Rockets have six players in double digits and check in at 113.9 PPG (2nd-best). The defense has been plenty good enough, allowing 103.1 PPG (9th).
LA Lakers: The Lakers were 8-10 before their four-game skid. LA is in a 15-game stretch in which the Lakers play the top two teams in the Western Conference, the Rockets and Golden State Warriors, three times each. They played well in their first meeting of the season against the Warriors on Wednesday, losing 120-115 in overtime after missing a game-winning shot at the end of regulation. They overcame a 12-point deficit to take a four-point halftime lead Saturday night at Denver, but were then outscored 15-0 over the final 3:43 of the 115-100 loss. Ball actually leads LA in rebounding and assists (7.1 per in each) but there are no words to describe his horrific shooting. The numbers say, 31.8% from the floor, including 25.7% on threes.
The pick: The Rockets have won their last five road contests by an average of 21.6 PPG and are 9-1 on the road this season. Houston just completed a 12-1 November, outscoring its opponents by an average of 16.769 points, the largest margin of victory for the month since the Boston Celtics won by an average of 16.833 points in 1963. "We're winning by big margins, but we're not playing great," Houston forward P.J. Tucker told the Houston Chronicle. "We have to challenge ourselves to get better." The Lakers allowed 118.8 PPG during their four-game slide and just how will they slow the Rockets? The Over is a 10* play.
