Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Point Spread Picks

The pressure is starting to build on the Lakers as Houston avoided elimination for a second straight game with a 99-93 win in Game 5, despite playing without Kevin Durant, who will also miss Game 6 due to an ankle injury. Jabari Smith scored 22 points, and Tari Eason scored 18 as the Rockets attempted to become the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. They have the momentum and the home court in Game 6, and the return of Austin Reaves has not been much of a benefit for the Lakers, as he went 4-for-16 overall and 2-for-8 on 3-pointers in Wednesday's game, which went UNDER by 16.5 points. Los Angeles has averaged just 94.5 points in its past two games. The Lakers are 27-18 UNDER in the first half of their past 45 games. Take the Rockets for the game and the first half UNDER.

The Rockets surprisingly find themselves on the verge of elimination, down 3-1 in their playoff series against the Lakers. It has not been because of the Rockets' fourth-ranked defense. Houston has held Los Angeles to an average of only 101.2 points a game in regulation during the series. The Lakers are ahead because of their outstanding defense, which has become the team's focal point in the absence of injured Luka Doncic. LA is holding the Rockets to an average of just 102 points a game in the series during regulation. The Lakers are giving up an average of only 98.7 points per game over their last seven games. LA won't have to worry about Kevin Durant either. Durant, Houston's leading scorer at 26 points a game, has been ruled out because of a left ankle sprain. The defensive intensity should be there from the very start. So take the UNDER in the first half and take the UNDER for the game. 

Los Angeles can relax for at least one game with a commanding 3-0 lead in the series after winning an exhausting overtime thriller on Friday night 112-108. LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation. The teams would have gone UNDER for the third straight time if not for the extra period and they likely will come out a little sluggish in the first quarter or so in Game 4. The Lakers especially could use a break after three games playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Houston still has motivation as no team wants to get swept in four games. The Rockets almost won Game 3 even while shooting just 41 percent overall and 28 percent on 3-pointers. Take the Rockets and the first half UNDER.

Houston is in a must-win situation, and the Lakers can afford to relax a little after winning the first two games without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LeBron James had 28 points in Game 2, and Kevin Durant was held to three points in the second half. Los Angeles is on a 1-5 ATS run in road games, and it has gone UNDER five of six overall. Games 1 and 2 have had low posted totals, and they still stayed UNDER. Houston is 5-1 UNDER its past six with two days' rest. The Rockets made only seven 3-pointers in Game 2, but they are #4 in the NBA with a .378 3-point percentage at home this season. They also hold opponents to 107.4 points per game at home, which is #3 in the league. Take the Rockets ATS, first half UNDER, and the full game UNDER.

The combination of the Lakers shooting 60.6 percent from the field and no Kevin Durant was too much for the Rockets to overcome in their 107-98 Game 1 loss this past Saturday. It didn't help the Rockets' cause that they made only 37.6 percent of their shots from the floor. The oddsmaker is projecting a Rockets bounce-back, making Houston a solid road favorite. Agree. There is a good chance Durant returns for this game, and Houston's defense is much stronger. Only three teams gave up fewer points than the Rockets during the regular season. Houston was also sixth in defensive field goal percentage and seventh in 3-point defensive percentage. The Rockets are the top rebounding team, too, and shot 47.9 percent from the floor, the 10th-best mark in the NBA. The Lakers remain without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LA's starters had to play heavy minutes in Game 1. The Lakers' lack of depth was so startling that even Bronny James saw action in Game 1. Take the Rockets.