The Houston Rockets steamrolled the Los Angeles Lakers in their previous meeting, 128-94. Now playing at home, can the Lake Show take revenge?
Catch the game tomorrow at 11:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Houston Rockets (6-4, 0-3 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- Alperen Sengun
The Rockets had their six-game winning streak halted by the LA Clippers on Saturday, 106-100. They failed to close out the struggling Clipps, and were outscored in the final 2:02, 12-1.
Still, confidence should be high in the group as they are young and just showed flashes of their potential in that string of victories. In that aforementioned, one-sided win over the Lakers, they shot 54.8% from the floor and were led by the two youngsters, with Jalen Green scoring a game-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, and Alperen Sengun adding 19 points, seven boards, and five assists. The two will be guys to watch out for tomorrow, especially the latter as he is firing on all cylinders as of late. Sengun has 19.8 / 8.2 / 5.8 on 58% shooting on the season, with three-straight 20-plus point games. Playmaker Fred VanVleet and pesky defender Dillon Brooks, who’s sure to have a physical and mental battle with LeBron James, should be key figures as well.
Houston scores 109.9 PPG and allows just 105.8 per game, third-lowest in the league. However, note that the team is still winless on the road.
HOME: Los Angeles Lakers (7-6, 5-1 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- D’Angelo Russell
- Austin Reaves
- Taurean Prince
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
The Lakers got back on the win column Saturday after beating the Portland Trail Blazers in the In-Season tournament, 107-95, where they also tied the lowest points they’ve allowed all season. Further, the W also moved them to 3-0 in the tourney.
We should see a Laker team that’s eager to get a win back over the young, scrappy Rockets. They were virtually non-existent in the loss to Houston last week right from the tip, and were blown out quickly. With Anthony Davis out, LeBron James alongside D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura were the main offense, and they combined for 64 points, which wasn’t bad, except the rest of the team just added 30. Austin Reaves was 2-of-9 for seven points and should look to be more aggressive.
Tomorrow could feature a much better Laker team. Davis is expected to play, and James has 31.5 / 7.5 / 10.5 / 3.0 on 59.5% shooting (50.% from three) in his last two outings.
The Lakers score 112.4 PPG but allow 114.3 per game.
PREDICTION:
Handicap: The Lakers (-5.5) fail to cover.
Over/Under: The total goes under 219.
