Houston (32-18) at LA Lakers (38-11)
When: Thursday, February 6th, 2020
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -6.5/234
The second game of Thursday night’s TNT double-header features two Western Conference teams that could very well be playing each other in an exciting seven game series later this spring. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets and the red-hot James Harden at Staples Center with the Lakers 6.5 games in front of the fifth place Rockets in the race for the top seed in the West. Houston has won three in a row and Harden has had a huge role in that. The star guard is averaging 38.3 points during the streak after averaging just 15 over his previous two games and recorded 40 points and 11 assists in Tuesday’s 125-110 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers have rebounded from a 3-4 stretch to win their last two games including a 129-102 home win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. LeBron James made a season-high-tying six 3-pointers while recording 36 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. The teams met already back on Jan. 20 in Houston with the Lakers coming away with a 124-115 triumph. It was L.A.’s second straight win in the series after the Rockets had taken 17 of the previous 20.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and the Rockets have already made a splash by being involved in the largest trade in 20 years. Reports have Houston dealing center Clint Capela as part of a four-team deal that would bring Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Robert Covington to the Rockets, who is averaging 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. Harden is hitting nearly 50 percent of his shots the last two games (23-of-50) after he finished January making only 35.5 percent. Harden also had 12 assists, nine rebounds and three steals, but might not have backcourt mate Russell Westbrook in time for this big matchup with the Lakers. The point guard missed the last game and is questionable with a thumb injury. The Rockets will fly to Phoenix right after this game to take on the Suns Friday night.
Center Dwight Howard helped the Lakers dominate the boards on Tuesday against the Spurs, who were outrebounded by L.A. 58-28. Howard recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Spurs and reached double figures in rebounds for the ninth time in last 13 games. James and Howard were two of five Lakers in double-figures including power forward Kyle Kuzma, who recorded his second double-double in three games with 18 points and 12 boards. Anthony Davis also had 18 points for a Lakers team that ranks No. 1 in the league in field goal shooting (48.6 percent). Los Angeles will be at Golden State on Saturday night.
Houston has been a little too inconsistent lately and are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine road contests. This seems like a lot of points to lay, but the Lakers will get it done tonight.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Thursday. He is 55-47-3 (54%) on the season after a 8-4 run!
Pick: Lakers -7
Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Rockets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite.
Lakers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 9-0 in Rockets last 9 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 games as a road favorite.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 home games.
Over is 10-1 in Lakers last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-1 in Lakers last 10 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-1 in Lakers last 8 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-1 in Lakers last 7 games following a ATS win.
Over is 10-2 in Lakers last 12 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Over is 9-2 in Lakers last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games as an underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 7-2 in Lakers last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-3 in Lakers last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 12-5-1 in Lakers last 18 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Rockets are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Rockets are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Los Angeles.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
