Joralexray Garcia
The best basketball league in the world will end its January 16 matchday with the Rockets vs Lakers, a clash between two teams which have had very poor campaigns so far, but which will keep trying to get good results until the end.
The Rockets impressed everybody in the previous duel against the Lakers and won by a score of 130-139 in overtime. However, that victory was preceded by nine losses in a row to the Lakers, who will surely have the confidence to avenge that defeat.
Without further ado, JefeBet presents our analysis and prediction for this Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers matchup. And, as we have many more predictions for each of the NBA games, we invite you to take a look at them to keep informed.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Regular Season Game on January 16, 2023
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
- When: Monday, January 16, 2023, 10:30 PM ET
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Betting on the Houston Rockets
- Regular Season Record: 10-33
While this was already expected to be a very difficult season for a rebuilding team like the Houston Rockets, things have perhaps gone worse than many could have imagined: they come into this game at the bottom of the Western Conference and owning the worst record in the league.
Yesterday afternoon, the Rockets extended a miserable streak of consecutive losses to ten games after losing as visiting team to the Los Angeles Clippers.It was a game in which they managed to go into halftime with a lead but had a terrible second half, especially during the last quarter, in which they lost by 10-30 and ended up losing by a final score of 100-121.
That score perfectly reflects what the Rockets have been like this campaign, given that they are the second-worst offensively in the NBA, with an average of 109.1 points scored per game. Besides, they have also been one of the most deficient in defense, with a deplorable average of 117.0 points allowed per game.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
- Regular Season Record: 19-23
As for the Los Angeles Lakers, they continue to struggle to record good results despite Anthony Davis’ absence, who is expected to return to action in the coming weeks. And, although they have put up a fight in most of their games, they are currently in thirteenth place in the Western Conference.
The Californian team is only 1.0 game out of the playoff spots, so they know they need to start getting better results to keep up with the rest. But, in order to do so, they must improve their defensive performance, as they average 117.9 points allowed per game, the fourth-worst figure in the league. This has sabotaged the work of an offense that has averaged 116.6 points.
JefeBet Prediction
The Lakers’ defensive problems are something to worry about. However, on this occasion, they will have a chance to do better against a Rockets’ offense that is one of the worst in the league and that has proven to be incapable of producing even against teams with similar weaknesses to the home team.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Rockets also tend to be very lax on defense, and those 121 points allowed against the Clippers (the third-worst offensive team in the NBA) were proof of that. So, the Lakers should have no major difficulties having a positive night offensively.
The Lakers have been at their best when they are at home, so we expect them to be able to take advantage of the visit of a Rockets team that has a 4-18 record on the road, dominating the game from the start and taking a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers Spread.
