Luke Kennard (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 5.5 Assists (-149)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers prepare to face the Rockets at home, all eyes will be on Luke Kennard, but bettors might find value in the under for his assists total. Sure, Kennard has been a playmaker lately, averaging 6.4 assists over his last five games. But don't be fooled by those numbers; at home, he's only dishing out an average of 3.2 assists. Against Houston, that trend continues-he's managed just 1.6 assists in their last five matchups, and only 2 when playing at home. With Kennard's overall hit rate showing he's gone under this mark in 17 of his last 20 games, and specifically 19 out of his last 20 at home, it's clear that the odds lean heavily in favor of the under. Expect a tighter game where scoring is prioritized over playmaking, making the under 5.5 assists a smart wager here.

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) Under 34.5 Points + Assists (-116)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Lakers gear up to face the Rockets, it's intriguing to look at LeBron James' recent numbers, especially regarding his points and assists combined. Over the last five games, he's averaged just 23 points and 9.2 assists-solid contributions but well below the 34.5 mark we need to worry about. When examining his home games, those figures dip even further, with averages of 19 points and 8.8 assists. Against the Rockets specifically, LeBron's performance has been decent, but he tends to settle around 20 points and 5.8 assists in their last few encounters. The numbers suggest he often leans towards more playmaking, particularly at home, where he has hit the under in 11 of his last 12 games. With this kind of trend and the Rockets' defensive focus, betting under 34.5 seems like a smart, calculated move.

Tari Eason (Houston Rockets) Over 12.5 Points + Rebounds (-108)

Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing

As the Rockets face off against the Lakers, Tari Eason's potential to surpass that 12.5 points and rebounds mark stands out. Despite averaging just under 10 points recently, he's been an impactful contributor on the boards, particularly away, where he's snagging 6.8 rebounds per game. Against the Lakers, Eason's numbers rise slightly-averaging 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in their last five encounters. With the Rockets' fast-paced style, Eason's opportunities to score and rebound should increase. What's particularly encouraging is his recent form; he's hit the over in three of his last four outings. In a matchup where Eason will likely be called upon to step up, this is a prime spot for him to deliver. With an expected stat value of nearly 16, the odds favor him, making the over on his combined points and rebounds a smart play.

See All Our Picks

You're viewing a preview. Subscribe today to unlock the full article and gain access to all our expert insights and best bets - every single day.

Get Bet Better Pro