Houston at Los Angeles

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.