Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 9/12/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2020

Location: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 214.5

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers play the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena on Saturday in Game 5 of their series. Houston opens this matchup as 6.5-point dogs. The total is set at 214.5.

The Lakers lead the series 3-1 after winning 110-100 in Game 4. Anthony Davis paced L.A. with 29 pts, 12 boards, and 5 assists. James Harden tallied 21 points, 10 dimes, and 4 rebounds in the losing effort for Houston.

The Rockets are covering the spread 44.6% of the time, having gone 37-46-0 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 53.2% of the time, going 42-37-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

9/10/2020 Robert Covington PF Head Game Time Decision
9/9/2020 Jr SF Personal Expected to be out until at least Sep 12

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

9/9/2020 Anthony Davis PF Ribs Game Time Decision
9/9/2020 LeBron James SF Calf Game Time Decision
9/9/2020 JaVale McGee C Ankle Game Time Decision
9/8/2020 Dion Waiters SG Groin Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 27.2 points per game in 35.9 minutes per contest. He averages 7.0 assists per contest and 7.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 34.3 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 12.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 25.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 74%. LeBron James averages 25.3 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 10.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.9 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 25.3 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Houston averages 117.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 18th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers surrender 107.6 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game. Los Angeles is 11th in the league with 113.4 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 45.7 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 25.4. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.9, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 24th in the NBA. The Lakers are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 106.3, and their offensive rating of 112 is ranked 3rd. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston +6.5

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