Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Best Bets

The Houston Rockets will host the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James tonight as 2.5-point underdogs. We made our picks and listed the odds, all in one place.

The Houston Rockets host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 7:00 pm. The Rockets (3-3) are looking to secure a winning record and the Lakers (3-4) are trying to return to the .500 mark. LeBron James continues to dominate even at age 39, averaging 25.3 points and eight rebounds per game.

Houston, to their credit, has won their last three games handily. Things are trending up in Houston, and a statement win over the Lakers would solidify the Rockets as a team on the rise.

There is an extensive injury report for both teams heading into the contest. Amen Thompson and Victor Oladipo are not playing, and Tari Eason has been upgraded to probable. 

For Los Angeles, the Lakers will be without Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent. Jaxson Hayes and Anthony Davis are questionable.

Keeping in mind that this is Houston’s game to lose due to LA’s injuries, here are the odds, lines, and picks from SI Sportsbook.

Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Lines

Point spread: Lakers -2.5 (-118)/Rockets +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Lakers (-143)/Rockets (+115)

Over/under: 220.5

Our picks

Safe pick: Jabari Smith Jr. OVER 13.5 points (-118)

Jabari Smith Jr. won’t have any issue stuffing the stat sheet with points. Even if Davis plays and is Smith’s primary defender, the eight-time All-Star has shown that he has no issue sitting out for long periods when injured. Plus, it’s early in the season so the Lakers will be exercising caution with Davis.

Team pick: OVER 220.5 points (-110)

The majority of the games the Lakers and Rockets have played hit the over. Granted, it’s a small majority with only seven of 13 games hitting above 220 points. That being said, these two teams combine to allow a total of 224 points per night. On top of that, the injured Lakers will struggle on defense, and Houston is improving but isn’t exactly the best defensive team in the league. Plus, Dillon Brooks has an ugly history of letting LeBron James have his way on offense, so expect high-scoring tonight.

Opponent pick: LeBron James OVER 25.5 points (-133)

As a general rule, never bet against LeBron James. James does not like Brooks, and the feeling is mutual. Granted, in 11 regular season games, Brooks has held James to a measly 25.0 points per game. 

However, their last matchup–the 2023 Western Conference first-round–paints a different picture. After Brooks promised to “poke the bear,” James and the Lakers beat the second-seeded Grizzlies in six games. During that series, James averaged 22.2 points but made it his mission to demolish Brooks. With Davis questionable, the offense will run through James, letting him light Houston up.

If you saw last season that the Rockets were only 2.5-point dogs to the mighty Lakers, you might think the oddsmakers were taking a day off. 2023-24 is a new season, and the Rockets are showing that they can hang with the big boys.