It’s now the Houston Rockets’ turn to have their backs against the wall, as the Los Angeles Lakers are now ahead in the series, 2-1. Will the Rockets tie it up on Thursday? Or will the Lakers move a win closer to the Western Conference finals? Check out our preview of Game 4 below.
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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets NBA Playoffs Round 2 Game 4 September 10, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Thursday, September 10, 2020, TBD PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (-5) vs Houston Rockets (+5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TBD
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (-5)
Regular Season Record: 52-19
LA Lakers Betting Guide: View here (it’s free!)
Never count out Playoff Rondo. In the Lakers’ 112-102 victory in Game 3, Rajon Rondo proved that he’s not as washed up as most people think, as the veteran point guard posted a throwback stat-line of 21 points and nine assists in 30 minutes of action. He was the perfect third wheel behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who had 36 and 26 points, respectively. But as good as Rondo was in Game 3, the Lakers can’t just expect consistent scoring from an inconsistent offensive player like Rondo. Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can’t just score eight points together and hope that the Lakers will win against a team like the Rockets. However, Green and Caldwell-Pope provided solid defense, especially in rotating against Houston’s guards. The Rockets are averaging 47.9 3-point attempts per game in the playoffs, but only tried 30 times from deep in Game 3.
The Lakers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (+5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
Are the Rockets getting tired of dealing with James and Davis? The Rockets have survived for most of the regular season and in the playoffs so far with their small-ball lineup, but through three games of the series, it seems as though the Lakers’ duo is having their way on the court, particularly in the last two games. It could get uglier for the Rockets “frontcourt” if Robert Covington will sit out Game 4 after exiting Game 3 with a bloody nose. Covington, however, might be able to play in the next game, according to early reports. The Rockets can’t afford to miss Covington, especially with Danuel House leaving the bubble due to personal reasons. But at the end of the day, the Rockets will go as far as where the tandem of Russell Westbrook and James Harden take them. Westbrook has had his best game of the series in the loss to the Lakers, as he came up with 30 points, while Harden scored 33.
The under is 4-0 in the Rockets’ last four games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 114-109.
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