Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Expert NBA Pick 3/12/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 233.5

Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers (49-14, 1st in the Pacific Division) play the Houston Rockets (40-24, 1st in the Southwest Division) at Staples Center on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Los Angeles opens this game as 7.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 233.5.

The Rockets are covering the spread 45.3% of the time, having gone 29-35-0 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 56.5% of the time, going 35-27-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

03/11/20 C Dwight Howard Illness is questionable Thursday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 34.4 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 27.5 points per game in 35.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.0 assists per contest and 8.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 26.7 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Kyle Kuzma averages 12.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 24.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.8 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 44.9 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.7 per game. The Rockets allow 114.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 10th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.0 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the league with 114.3 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 7.4. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 25.9. The Lakers are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Lakers surrender 106.9 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.8, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 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 26th in the league. The Lakers are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113, and their defensive rating of 105.6 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston +7.5

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