Houston Rockets (21-23) vs Los Angeles Lakers (24-23)
Game Info: Monday, January 29, 2024 at 8:00 pm (Toyota Center)
Betting Odds: Houston Rockets -1 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Houston Rockets play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center on Monday night. Here’s a Rockets vs Lakers Prediction.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in fine form as they've won five of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Warriors in a thrilling 145-144 double overtime road win on Saturday. LeBron James led the team with a monster triple-double of 36 points with 20 rebounds and 12 assists, Anthony Davis added 29 points with 13 rebounds and four blocks while D'Angelo Russell chipped in with 28 points and five assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and nine of 27 from the 3-point line as they traded with the Warriors in a high-scoring affair fulll of highlight plays until James was able to make the game-winning free throws with just 1.0 second left on the clock. The Lakers will meet the Hawks and Celtics after this one.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- LeBron James is one of only two players to have recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound game this season.
- Anthony Davis ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for rebounds per game (12.2) this season.
Houston Rockets
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in a real slump as they've lost six of their last eight games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after falling painfully short to the slumping Nets in a 106-104 road defeat on Saturday. Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore each scored 19 points while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, the Rockets shot just 39 percent from the field and 10 of 37 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start, scoring just 15 points in the first quarter to trail by 28 points which they were able to cut to just two points before running out of time.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Fred VanVleet ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.1) this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 4th amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (5.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (60.0%).
- The Rockets rank 2nd in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (34.4%).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.4).
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (14.4).
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers could be shorthanded here with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis listed as questionable, while the Rockets are still without Tari Eason. The Lakers are starting to heat up again and they would've taken so much confidence from their thrilling win over the Warriors on Saturday, while the Rockets have continued their recent slump with a loss to the ice-cold Nets in their last outing. There's always an injury cloud over the James and Davis, but I'm still backing the Lakers to get the job done in a close one, so I like them as the underdog here.