Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 9/4/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Friday, September 4, 2020

Location: AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6

Total/Over-Under: 225.5

AdventHealth Arena is the site where Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Houston Rockets on Friday in Game 1 of the West Semifinals. The spread on this contest has Los Angeles as 6-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 225.5.

The Rockets just had a grueling 7 game series with the Thunder, so they should be the more tired team in Game 1. The Lakers disposed of the Blazers in 5 games and have been off since Saturday, so we'll see if they're rusty or if the rest was to their benefit.

The Rockets cover 45.6% of the time, having gone 36-43-0 ATS. Los Angeles covers the spread 52.0% of the time, going 39-36-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

9/3/2020 a Moute Luc Mbah a Moute SF Knee Game Time Decision

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

9/2/2020 Rajon Rondo PG Back Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Robert Covington comes into this game averaging 12.4 points per contest while playing 30.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 80%. James Harden averages 34.3 points per contest in 36.5 minutes per game. He averages 7.5 assists per game and 6.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis scores 26.1 points per contest while playing 34.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.3 rebounds per contest and has 3.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. LeBron James averages 25.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.8 rebounds per game and has 10.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 117.8 points per contest, which is 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 16th with 14.7 per game. The Rockets allow 114.8 points per contest, which is 23rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 7th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 47.9 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they allow 25.3 assists per game which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 11th in the NBA with 113.4 points per contest this season. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.79. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 22nd in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.7 boards per contest and 10th in assists per game with 25.4. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Lakers give up 107.6 points per game, which ranks them 4th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.4 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 42.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 26th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest this year.

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?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -6

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