Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Picks : Full Breakdown & Bets

When it comes to Marcus Smart's three-point shooting, it feels like he's been playing a different kind of game lately. In his last five outings, he's been averaging just 0.6 threes made overall and only 1.4 at home. Sure, he's hit the mark in four of those home games, but he's up against the Houston Rockets, a team that tends to limit perimeter shooters. Historically, Smart has averaged just 1.2 threes against them, and even at home, that drops to 1. Plus, with an expected stat value of 1.28, we're looking at a performance that falls just short of that crucial 1.5 mark. Given his current trend and the Rockets' defensive schemes, it's reasonable to see him struggling to find his rhythm from beyond the arc. With the odds favoring the Under at 2.07, this is a prop bet worth considering in what should be an intriguing matchup.

Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) Under 7.5 Rebounds (-101)

As Amen Thompson heads into this matchup against the Lakers, the numbers suggest that backing the under on his rebound total is a savvy move. While he's had some solid outings lately, averaging 7.2 rebounds over his last five games, his away performance dips slightly, with a 7.8 average on the road. When facing the Lakers, who boast a strong rebounding frontcourt, things could get even trickier for him. Historically, Thompson has pulled down only about 7 rebounds per game against this opponent when on the road, well under the 7.5 line we're considering today. With an expected stat value of 6.7 and the Lakers' ability to control the boards, it's hard to envision Thompson exceeding that mark. This game could very well play out in favor of the under, making the under 7.5 a compelling angle to explore.