NBA Picks & Predictions: Rockets vs. Lakers (Tuesday)
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet for Game 2 at TD Garden at 7:00 p.m. ET on Peacock/NBCSN. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs meet for Game 2 on NBC/Peacock, while the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers battle in Game 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET, also on NBC/Peacock. Let’s build our bankroll with our best NBA picks & predictions for Tuesday, April 21st’s game Rockets vs. Lakers.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions: Rockets vs. Lakers
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has three playoff games on the schedule for Tuesday night. On Monday, the road team and underdog won two games outright, with the favorite and home team only cashing in one game. The Under also hit in two of three games. Will we get more unexpected finishes Tuesday?
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Houston Rockets (-196) at Los Angeles Lakers (+164) | O/U 206.5 (-114/-106)
The Lakers were a 2.5-point underdog at home for Game 1, as Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (rib) were sidelined. That’s how Luke Kennard was able to etch his name into Lakers playoff lore, going for 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from downtown. Deandre Ayton went for 19 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double, while LeBron was good for 19 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. Kevin Durant missed the game due to a right knee contusion, and Josh Okogie wasn’t KD35, or anything close to him. Alperen Sengun did his best, going for 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists with a block, but it wasn’t close to enough.
This game is hard to handicap with Luka and Reaves out again, and Durant questionable due to his bruised knee. He was questionable for Game 1, but it appeared he would go. The books still must feel he is good to go for Game 2, as Houston is a surprising road favorite despite the Game 1 result.
Let’s back the Lakers catching more than two buckets at home, based on the opening game result. It’s a slap in the face to make L.A. an underdog on its own floor in the playoffs, especially if Durant cannot go. And, we’ll back the Under, which cashed in Game 1, and has hit in three of the past four games, including the Christmas Day game in L.A.
Picks: Lakers +4.5 (-106) & Under 206.5 Points (-106)
Joe Williams is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him @winwithjoe