Houston at Los Angeles

The Houston Rockets are on a 5-1 straight up run, which included wins of nine and 16 points over Utah and Memphis. They face a bad Lakers' defense that is #28 in the NBA in points allowed and #27 in field goal shooting defense. Los Angeles shot 34.4 percent from the field and was routed at Utah 109-82 on Saturday for its sixth loss in seven games as Kobe Bryant managed five points in 15 minutes. Bryant has been bothered by shoulder and Achilles injuries and made 2-of-8 from the field. The Lakers are 14-37-1 ATS against the Western Conference and 8-18 ATS vs. a team with a winning straight up record. The Rockets have won five in a row at Los Angeles and seven of the last eight meetings overall, including a pair in December by 49 points combined. The Rockets are also 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings, including 5-0 ATS at the Staples Center. Play Houston.