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

As the Lakers gear up to face the Rockets, Marcus Smart's recent shooting form raises some red flags for those eyeing his threes made prop. While Smart has been a key player, he's averaging a modest 0.6 threes per game over his last five outings, which dips to just 1.4 when playing at home. Against the Rockets, he's managed to sink only 1.2 threes on average-but that number drops to 1 when he's at home against them.With the Lakers' defensive scheme focusing on limiting perimeter shots, it's hard to see Smart finding his rhythm from beyond the arc. His recent hit rate, while impressive at 5/5 overall, suggests that the odds are catching up to him, making the Under 1.5 a savvy play. If he's held to his recent averages, expect him to stay under that mark against a Houston team that's been tightening up on defense.

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

As the Houston Rockets visit the Los Angeles Lakers, all eyes will be on Amen Thompson, especially with the rebound prop set at 7.5. While Thompson has shown flashes of brilliance, his recent away performances paint a different picture. Averaging just 7.8 boards on the road, he's been held to around 7 in games against tougher opponents like the Lakers. Historically, he's grabbed only 6.7 rebounds in this matchup, which is a stark contrast to his impressive 10.6 average against them at home.The Lakers, with their formidable frontcourt, will likely pose challenges for Thompson, making it tough for him to hit that 7.5 mark. Given that he's trending downward in terms of rebounding against strong competition, backing the Under feels like a smart play here. With the numbers supporting this narrative, there's a compelling case to believe Thompson won't clear that threshold tonight.