Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/13/2018

Thursday, December 13, 2018

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 Thursday, December 13, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Lakers have a record of 17-10. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 2.2 as they average 113.1 points per game while giving up 110.9 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 12-14. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They total 108.4 points per contest and give up 109.5, which is a point differential of -1.1.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 11-15-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 10-17-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 9-16-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 14-11-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/11/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is questionable Thursday vs Houston
12/08/18 SF Brandon Ingram Ankle is out indefinitely
11/15/18 PG Rajon Rondo Hand is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/11/18 SF James Ennis III Hamstring injured last game, is doubtful Thursday vs LA Lakers
12/11/18 F Marquese Chriss Ankle is questionable Thursday vs LA Lakers
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely
10/20/18 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

LeBron James comes into this contest averaging 28.3 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 70%. Kyle Kuzma averages 17.9 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.0 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 30.0 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.3 rebounds per game and has 8.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Chris Paul averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 8.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 113.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.2 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 46.6 rebounds per game and 23.9 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.3 per game. The Lakers allow 110.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.6 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 23.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league with 108.4 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 27th in the league in rebounding with 41.0 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 21.1. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Rockets surrender 109.5 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 21.5 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 43.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.7, and their defensive rating of 107.5 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league. Los Angeles is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA. The Rockets are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 113.7, and their offensive rating of 112.5 is ranked 26th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 8th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% 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 -4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink