Lakers vs Rockets 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (33-8, 1st in the Pacific Division) are headed to Toyota Center on Saturday where they'll meet the Houston Rockets (26-14, 1st in the Southwest Division). Los Angeles opens this game as 1.5 point dogs. The over/under is set at 224.

The Lakers cover the spread 55.0% of the time, having gone 22-18-1 ATS. Houston is covering the spread 47.5% of the time, going 19-21-0 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

10/19/19 C DeMarcus Cousins Knee is out for season
01/16/20 PF Anthony Davis Tailbone is questionable Saturday vs Houston
01/16/20 PG Rajon Rondo Finger is questionable Saturday vs Houston

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

LeBron James comes into this contest averaging 25.4 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 69%. Kyle Kuzma averages 12.9 points per game in 24.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 24.8 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 7.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. James Harden averages 37.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.2 rebounds per contest and 7.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 114.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 26.1 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.8 per game. The Lakers allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.1 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 22.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 118.7 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.7. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Rockets are 14th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Rockets surrender 114.0 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.9 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 46.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 104.8, and their offensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 3rd. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.6, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 15th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% 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?

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -1.5

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