Published Mar 15, 11:43pm ET by
Gabriel Kozlow - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 15, 11:43pm ET
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Updated Mar 15, 11:44pm ET
The Los Angeles Lakers look to continue their winning streak with a visit to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. Both teams are battling to get ahead of each other in the standings and view this game as a statement win for both sides.
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| HOUSTON ROCKETS | -2.5 (-105) |
| LOS ANGELES LAKERS | +2.5 (-105) |
The Lakers have been playing lights out lately and have climbed back up the Western Conference standings. They are 42-25 and currently sit in third place, right above Houston. They are on a five-game winning streak and have plenty of momentum, going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
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Much of this recent success is thanks to an offensive surge led by Doncic, Reaves, and James. Meanwhile, Ayton has surprisingly been solid on defense lately, leading the team in rebounds and blocks. The Lakers rank in the Top 10 in scoring and are around the middle of the league in points allowed, giving them a +1.2 scoring margin.
The Rockets have the potential to do some damage in the playoffs, but they will need to work on their chemistry and defensive alignments. They are a young team with plenty of energy and have veterans such as Kevin Durant to act as their leader. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are coming off a nail-biting win against the Pelicans.
Houston might be without Alperen Sengun, as he is listed as a game-time decision. If he does not play, expect Clint Capela to get more minutes, which may not be a bad thing since Capela is known for his defense, blocks, and rebounding. However, they would likely lack offensive creativity, as Sengun leads the team in assists while playing at center.
The Lakers face another tough test on the road against Durant’s Rockets. Houston is -2.5 on the spread with an over/under of 226.5. The Lakers are +124 on the moneyline, while the Rockets are -148.
The Lakers are healthy and coming together as a tight unit, so it will be interesting to see how long this streak continues. Our pick for this game is Lakers +2.5 on the spread.
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Pick
Los Angeles Lakers
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