After a tumultuous season during which he clashed with both the coach and the iconic player, Dwight Howard is all set to meet the Lakers for the first time since leaving for Houston in the offseason. The game is on Thursday, November 7th, at 9:30 PM ET in Houston.
The Rockets with Howard have blasted off into potential championship contender status, while the Lakers are still trying to cope without both Howard and Kobe Bryant in the lineup.
2013 Betting Preview for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
With Howard now in Texas and Bryant still in recovery, many expected Pau Gasol to be both literally and figuratively the center for the Lakers this year.
Gasol is still the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with 15 points and 10 boards while playing at the pivot, but in playing under 30 minutes through the first four games, the Spaniard isn’t being asked to do it all. [sc:NBA240banner ]
In fact, the usually star-driven Lakers have been providing a total team effort. Known for keeping a very short rotation, D’Antoni has used an 11-man rotation so far this season, which has paid very big dividends.
Through four games, the Lakers bench is averaging a league-best 56 points per game. The Lakers reserves have even outscored the starters in the first three games of the season (76 to 40, 45 to 40 and 52 to 42), including a 76-point outburst against the Clippers on opening night.
Xavier Henry’s promotion to the starting line-up bucked that trend with 18 points in their 105-103 win against the Hawks. But with a great showing in the opening week, the much-maligned Lakers supporting cast has silenced its critics.
Will the balanced LA attack overcome the Dwightmare? Bet on the LA Lakers once odds are available.
Betting on the Houston Rockets
So far so good for the Dwight Howard Era in Houston.
The Rockets have won their first three games of the season for the first time since 2008-09 and a major reason has been their new All-Star center. After a subpar season by his lofty standards in 2012-13, Howard looks to be on the way back to MVP-level play, as he showed in his 17-point, 26-rebound debut against the Bobcats.
[sc:NBA490banner ]The Rockets have been dominating the glass with Howard and Omer Asik, whom Coach Kevin McHale has inserted into the starting five to begin the season. However, McHale has opted to go small in most line-ups, with Francisco Garcia and Omri Casspi coming off the bench to offer better shooting and floor spacing.
The first few weeks could also see the return of Linsanity. Jeremy Lin has the opportunity to regain the starting point guard spot he lost to Patrick Beverley, who will be out with a torn stomach muscle. Lin’s 16.7 PPG is second on the team to James Harden’s 26 PPG. Even with Howard now on the team, Harden is still the Rockets’ undisputed go-to-guy on offense.
Will the Rockets’ star power overwhelm the unheralded Lakers? Bet on the Houston Rockets once odds are available.
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