Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Betting Tips 2/21/2019

Thursday, February 21, 2019
Staples Center
Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.
The Houston Rockets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, February 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 1.5 point favorites.
The Rockets have a record of 33-24. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 2.1 as they average 113.1 points per game while giving up 111.1 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 28-29 this season. They are 4th in the Pacific Division. They average 112.2 points per game and surrender 113.4, good for a point differential of -1.2.
Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends
The Houston Rockets are 26-30-1 against the spread
The Houston Rockets are 32-24-0 against the over/under
Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Lakers are 24-31-2 against the spread
The Los Angeles Lakers are 23-34-0 against the over/under
Key Houston Rockets Injuries
02/15/19 C Clint Capela Thumb is upgraded to questionable Thursday vs LA Lakers
02/14/19 PG Austin Rivers Elbow is questionable Thursday vs LA Lakers
Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
02/14/19 G Josh Hart Knee is questionable Thursday vs Houston
02/14/19 C Tyson Chandler Toe is questionable Thursday vs Houston
01/20/19 PG Lonzo Ball Ankle is out indefinitely
Player Spotlight
Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 15.6 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. James Harden averages 36.6 points per game in 37.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.7 assists per contest and 6.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.
Player Spotlight
Kyle Kuzma averages 19.1 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. LeBron James averages 26.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.6 rebounds per contest and 7.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 68%.
Useful Team Statistics
Houston averages 113.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 41.6 rebounds per game and 20.8 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.8 per game. The Rockets allow 111.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.7 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league.
Useful Team Statistics
Los Angeles is 15th in the league with 112.2 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -1.2. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 4th in the league in rebounding with 47.0 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 24.9. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 15.9. The Lakers surrender 113.4 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.8 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 46.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game.
Advanced Statistics
The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.8, and their defensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 27th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league.
Advanced Statistics
Los Angeles is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA. The Lakers are 21st in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 11th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.
Who will win tonight's Rockets/Lakers NBA game against the spread?
Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles -1.5
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