Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 15.5 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 10-18. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.0 as they are averaging 106.6 points per game while giving up 109.6 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 25-4. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 115.3 points per contest and giving up 104.0, which is a point differential of 11.3.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 14-14-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 14-14-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 16-12-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/19/17 C Brook Lopez Ankle is "?" Wednesday vs Houston
12/18/17 G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Legal problems is OUT Wednesday vs Houston

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/14/17 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 14.5 points per game in 22.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%. Kyle Kuzma comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 78%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon averages 19.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 1.9 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 83%. James Harden averages 31.3 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per game and has 9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 109.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 22.7 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Los Angeles averages 106.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.96 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 46.5 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 17 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 104 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 21.7 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 40.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game this season. Houston is 2nd in the league with 115.3 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 11.28. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game and 11th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Rockets are 11th in turnovers per game with 15.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.7, and their defensive rating of 105.5 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 102.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 23rd. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league. Los Angeles is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 104.7, and their offensive rating of 116.1 is ranked 25th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 57% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -15.5

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