Los Angeles at Houston

The dysfunctional Houston Rockets are a huge favorite, but can this defense be trusted against anyone? Houston is on its second coach, a group where the inmates are running the asylum. And one of the many drawbacks is that the players don't care about defense, #26 in the NBA in points allowed, #20 in field goal shooting defense, and #21 at defending beyond the arc. A disappointing loss to the Mavericks was followed up by a late collapse at home against struggling Phoenix in Thursday's 124-115 defeat, which spoke volumes as to how disappointing the season has been for last year's runners-up in the West. The mostly-young Lakers will be able to score on this soft defense, and Kobe Bryant has had some of his best offensive games against Houston. The Rockets are on a 3-8 ATS run at home, and the road team is 7-3 ATS when they clash. Play the Lakers.