Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/3/2017

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 10.5 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 17-4. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 10.8 as they are averaging 113.9 points per game while giving up 103.1 per contest. The Lakers have an overall mark of 8-13. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 106.6 points per contest and giving up 108.7, which is a point differential of -2.1.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 12-9-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 9-12-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 10-11-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-10-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/01/17 F Kyle Kuzma Back is "?" Saturday vs Denver
12/01/17 PG Lonzo Ball Head injured last game, is probable Saturday vs Denver

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 31.5 points per game while playing 36 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Eric Gordon averages 19.2 points per game in 31.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 16.7 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 6.1 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Jordan Clarkson averages 15.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 22.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 113.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 10.81 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 16.1 per game. The Rockets allow 103.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.8 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 22.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 13th in the league with 106.6 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -2.1. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 23.1. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 17.2. The Lakers surrender 108.7 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 46.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 103.8 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 53% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 4th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Lakers are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 104.2, and their offensive rating of 102.2 is ranked 24th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +10.5

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