The Los Angeles Lakers are a win away from reaching the Western Conference finals. The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, have their backs against the wall and would definitely want to get a huge game from James Harden on Saturday. Check out our preview of this series’ Game 5 below.
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Betting Preview for the Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs Round 2 Game 5 September 12, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Saturday, September 12, 2020, TBD PM ET
Line: Houston Rockets (+6.5) vs Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TBD
Betting on the Houston Rockets (+6.5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
The Rockets got 21 points from James Harden in Game 4, but that was far from enough for Houston to avoid a 110-100 loss to the Lakers. Harden shot just 2 for 11 from the field and 1 for 6 from deep. He got most of his points on the charity stripe, where he went 16 for 20. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 25 points. The Rockets can’t afford for Harden to have a salty shooting night in Game 7, but there’s got to be more involvement from the other guys. PJ Tucker scored zero points in Game 4 and Robert Convington came up with just three points. Despite missing Danuel House (personal reasons), the Rockets still didn’t dig behind Austin Rivers for bench support. Instead, it was Jeff Green, Ben McLemore, and Rivers providing breathers for the starters. Houston may be forced to have a longer rotation in Game 5 and we could probably see an appearance from Tyson Chandler, who hasn’t played a single minute in the series.
The Rockets are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 road games against the Lakers.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5)
Regular Season Record: 52-19
LA Lakers Betting Guide: View here (it’s free!)
It feels so long ago when the Lakers lost to the Rockets in Game 1 of the series. Since then, it’s been all Lakers, including in their win in Game 4. Anthony Davis once again was too much for Houston. He finished Game 4 with 29 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field to go with 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. LeBron James didn’t have an explosive scoring nigh, but still managed 16 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Rajon Rondo continues to click in the playoffs, as he came off the bench and scored 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out eight assists, while Alex Caruso chipped in 16 points. It seems that the Lakers have Houston all figured out on both ends of the floor. The Rockets shot just 43.1 percent from the floor, as the Lakers continued to rotate well on defensive assignments and challenge shots in the paint. In fact, the Rockets scored just 24 points in the paint in Game 4.
The Lakers are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 114-110.
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