Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Predictions, NBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/6/2020

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2020

Location: The Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers (51-15, 1st in the Pacific Division) head to The Arena on Thursday where they'll take on the Houston Rockets (42-24, 1st in the Southwest Division). 

The Lakers cover the spread 55.4% of the time, having gone 36-29-1 ATS. Houston is covering 46.3% of the time, going 31-36-0 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

07/12/20 PG Rajon Rondo Thumb is out 6-8 weeks
06/28/20 SG Avery Bradley Personal is out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

08/05/20 SF Bruno Caboclo Ankle is questionable Thursday vs LA Lakers
07/29/20 SG Eric Gordon Ankle is out indefinitely
07/21/20 SF Thabo Sefolosha Personal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma comes into this game averaging 12.5 points per contest while playing 24.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 74%. Alex Caruso averages 5.5 points per contest in 18.1 minutes per game. He averages 1.8 assists per game and 2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden scores 34.3 points per contest while playing 36.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.4 rebounds per contest and has 7.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. P.J. Tucker averages 7.2 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 34.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.8 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 113.8 points per contest, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 1st. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 45.9 boards per contest and 25.6 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 15.1 per game. The Lakers allow 106.8 points per contest, which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.3 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they allow 23.2 assists per game which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the NBA with 118.4 points per contest this season. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.58. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 22nd in the league. They are 15th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.7 boards per contest and 29th in assists per game with 21.6. The Rockets are 18th in turnovers per contest with 14.4. The Rockets give up 114.9 points per game, which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 25.2 dimes allowed per game and 30th with 47.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Rockets are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 105.5, and their offensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 3rd. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 101 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 5th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Los Angeles is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 27th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 15th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 5th 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?

Josh's Pick: Take Houston

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