Thursday, December 17, 2015

Staples Center

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The Houston Rockets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, December 17, 2015. The opening line for this game has Houston as 5.5 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 212.5.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 12-14 and a road record of 5-7. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3 as they are averaging 104.1 points per game while giving up 107.1 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 4-21 and a home record of 2-6. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 97.7 points per game and surrendering 106.8, good for a point differential of -9.1.

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 29 points per game while playing 38.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 6.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Dwight Howard averages 12.6 points per game in 32.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 11.6 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 59% for the year while his free throw percentage is 53%.

Kobe Bryant averages 16.5 points per game while playing 30.7 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 33% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Jordan Clarkson averages 15 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Houston averages 104.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 52.2 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game which ranks them 19th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 17 per game. The Rockets allow 107.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 54.3 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 17.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.

Los Angeles averages 97.7 points per game this year which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is -9.1 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team which has them sitting in the 29th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 25th in the NBA. They average 52.7 rebounds per game and 18.4 assists per contest which ranks them 11th and 27th respectively. In the turnover department the Lakers rank 12th with 14.6 per game. The Lakers allow 106.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 24th and 19th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 55.6 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. The Lakers force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 9-17-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 12-12-2 against the over/under

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 9-16-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 12-13-0 against the over/under

Houston Rockets Injuries

11/18/15 F Sam Dekker Back out indefinitely

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Tony's Pick: Take Houston

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