Houston at Los Angeles

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.