The Houston Rockets battle the Los Angeles Lakers Friday to help commence the 2024 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. Tip from Thomas & Mack Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockets vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers summer league play is going to be watched closer with 1st-round pick F Dalton Knecht and 2nd-round pick G Bronny James Jr. on the roster. The Lakers already played some Games with this roster, losing all 3 Games in the California Classic and losing 2 of the 3 by double figures. Los Angeles best performance was in its last Game, losing to the Miami heat 80-76. Knecht led the team with 20 points in that Game.
The Rockets struggled last season and earned a high draft pick as well, taking Kentucky standout G Reed Sheppard with the 3rd-overall pick. Sheppard is the main player to keep an eye on and was the 1st collegiate player taken in the draft, but F Cam Whitmore, G Trevor Keels and G AJ Griffin will certainly also leave their impact.
Rockets at Lakers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:08 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Lakers +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -6.5 (-110) | Lakers +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 181.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rockets at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 86, Lakers 82
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rockets have the more talented roster and should come out on top. At -280, there’s no value in backing the favorite, and the Lakers (+220) struggled in the California Classic, making them unlikely to pull off an upset.
Against the spread
BET LAKERS +6.5 (-110).
Having played together goes a long way in these events, and the Rockets haven’t spent as much time together as the Lakers, who already have 3 games under their belt and started to really put it together against the Heat. Lakers’ 6-foot-10 F Colin Castleton has improved and hit double figures last game as well.
The Rockets have Sheppard, but his main use in college was his efficiency, not necessarily his shot creation. While that will help at the NBA level when others can find him open, he may struggle to create and dominate at this level.
Given the Lakers continuity with having already played, expect them to keep this one close and back LAKERS +6.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 181.5 (-110).
This is the summer league. It isn’t the NBA, and players are going to be more defensive minded. Most of these players are fighting for a spot on an NBA roster, and defense matters. The Lakers scored sub-80 in 2 of their 3 Games in California.
Their defense also played better as they started to gain experience, holding the Heat to 80. The Rockets have playmakers, but in their 1st game together, the offensive sets may not be efficient. With that in mind, take UNDER 181.5 (-110).
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