Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Game 3 Predictions, Odds & Picks

• After losing Game 1, a concentrated effort from LeBron James and Anthony Davis brought the series level.
• The Lakers only have three players averaging double-digit scoring.
• Russell Westbrook has been awful shooting the ball, 35.9% from the field.

Lakers vs Rockets Odds

Odds from DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.

Lakers vs Rockets Predictions and Picks

The Lakers continue to struggle with auxiliary contributions, but LeBron James and Anthony Davis look focused on not letting their team sink. On top of the fact that they’ve been unstoppable inside.

Picks:

Los Angeles Lakers def. Houston Rockets -205

Los Angeles -5 -108

Over 225 -112

How to Watch Lakers vs Rockets

Head-to-Head: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Has an Elite Defence

Many will look at the Los Angeles Lakers’ last win against the Rockets with a positive light on Houston. The Rockets were able to score 72 points combined in the second and third quarter, but that did not discourage the Lakers at all.

Los Angeles has a collection of talented defenders, coordinated by one of the leagues best in Anthony Davis. Between the defensive threat of Davis, Rondo, Green, and Morris, the Lakers have the ability to shut down opponents on the perimeter and in the paint.

They held the Rockets to 20 points in the first quarter and 17 points in the fourth quarter. The California-based team can be elite when they want to be, but it will take a lot of effort against a high-octane Rockets team. The Lakers’ defence will set the tone.

Houston Must Cross the Finish Line

The league’s last Texas representative has a hard road ahead of them, facing off with one of the leagues best in the Los Angeles Lakers. While they went down against the Lakers early in Game 2, they were able to fight their way back from a 21-point deficit.

After going down 16 points in after the first half, the Rockets came out firing in the second half. Houston outscored the Lakers by 18 in the third quarter, powered by the performance of Eric Gordon. After shooting 68% in the third, the Rockets couldn’t maintain their magic in the fourth.

It’s no secret that they face a capable defence in the Lakers. But after losing the fourth quarter 17-27, the Rockets must sort out some defensive issues despite their offensive prowess.

Lakers Key Player: (G) Rajon Rondo

Outscored ’em by 28 when @RajonRondo was on the floor. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/NxS5zgFro8

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 7, 2020

Many doubted the value of Rajon Rondo when he joined the Lakers. Despite being an NBA Champion and a multi-year All-Star, there were still concerns about his cohesiveness with a playmaker like LeBron James. In his two games back, he doubters have been silenced.

Rondo closed the evening in Game 2 as a team-high +28. He contributed 10 points and nine assists in just under 29 minutes of play. He also collected five steals on the evening, terrorizing the Rockets’ guards on the perimeter.

Rondo will be crucial for the Lakers going forward. For the entire first round, the Lakers missed his playmaking off the bench. With his defence added to that, Los Angeles is a different team.

Rockets Key Player: (G) Russell Westbrook

TALK YOUR SHIT RUSS ? pic.twitter.com/Vx6nKtUJCG

— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) September 5, 2020

The 2017 NBA MVP has been struggling since his return to the court in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. In two games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook has disappointed.

Westbrook is still putting up numbers, averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in 32.5 minutes of play in the second round. The issue is that he is shooting just 35.9% from the field and a dreadful 16.7% from three-point range.

Westbrook plays best when he is going downhill, on the break or in the halfcourt. His three-point shooting has been a detriment to the Rockets with Harden as the primary playmaker, so Westbrook must find a way to make an impact efficiently.