The series between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers are now tied up after the latter’s win on Sunday. This Tuesday, will the Lakers have their turn to get the series lead? Or will the Rockets get back to the driver’s seat? Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets NBA Playoffs Round 2 Game 3 September 8, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (-5) vs Houston Rockets (+5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (-5)
Regular Season Record: 52-19
LA Lakers Betting Guide: View here (it’s free!)
The combo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis was just too much for the Rockets in the Lakers’ 117-109 win in Game 2. Davis had 34 points and 10 rebounds, while James nearly collected another triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. The Lakers also got great support from the bench, with Marcus Morris firing 16 points, Kyle Kuzma 13, and Rajon Rondo making 10 points to go with nine assists, and five steals. Rondo had a tremendous impact on the Lakers, as the team had 28 points more than Houston when the veteran point guard was on the floor. Rondo’s defense set the tone for the Lakers on that end of the floor, as the team finished with 11 steals and nine more points off turnovers than Houston, 27-18. The defense was a huge part of the Lakers’ success in Game 2, as they held James Harden and Russell Westbrook to a combined output of 10 field goals.
The Lakers are 2-0 against the spread in their last two games away from home.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (+5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
The Rockets got blown out in the first quarter of Game 2 but made a run in the second half to momentarily get the lead back. In the end, they did not have enough gas left to steal a win from the Lakers. Harden once again top-scored for the Rockets with his 27 points, while Eric Gordon had 24 points on the strength of his 6-for-12 shooting from behind the arc. However, Westbrook doomed the Rockets with his reckless and inefficient ways on offense. Westbrook finished the game with just 10 points on 4-for-15 shooting from the floor while also turning the ball over seven times. He was the only Rockets starter with a minus-rating (-14). Despite Westbrook’s horrendous play, the Rockets were able to hang around in the second half because of their outside shooting. Houston knocked down 11 threes in the final two quarters to just three by the Lakers. It’s that kind of outside shooting that makes the Rockets a constant threat to overcome deficits or sustain leads.
The Rockets are 3-1 against the spread in their last four games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 115-112.
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