Lakers vs. Rockets Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for January 16 (Defense Takes Back Seat at Crypto.com Arena)

Lakers vs. Rockets Game Info

• Date: Monday, January 16, 2023
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena -- Los Angeles, California
• Coverage: NBA TV, SportsNet LA, and SportsNet SW

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Monday with nine more games, including a battle between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets rank last in the Western Conference with a 10-33 record, while the Lakers check in 13th with a 19-24 record. This one could go either way.

Houston saw its losing streak extended to 10 straight games thanks to a 121-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has dropped three games in a row following its 113-112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Which struggling team will bounce back with a win tonight?

Lakers vs. Rockets Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Lakers vs Rockets Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Lakers	-6.5	-	-	230.5	-110	-110	-270	220

The Lakers enter this contest as notable home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 10:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 236 points, which is tied for the highest total on Monday's slate.

Lakers vs. Rockets Betting Trends

• The Lakers compiled a 36-46-0 record against the spread last season.
• Against the spread, as underdogs of 6.5 points or greater, the Rockets went 22-30-2 last year.
• Last season, 47 Lakers games hit the over.
• The Rockets had 44 of their 82 games go over the point total last year.

Lakers vs. Rockets Prediction & Pick

The Rockets were only down a single point at the end of the third quarter on Sunday before being outscored 30-10 in the final frame. It was simply the latest meltdown in what has been another rebuilding season for Houston, who is just 4-19 on the road this year.

That bodes well for the Lakers' chances of getting back in the win column. The Lakers are shooting 48.4% from the floor (No. 6 in NBA) and averaging 117.2 points per home game (No. 10 in NBA). They should have no trouble scoring against a Rockets team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency.

LA is also 10-1 straight up in its last 11 games against Houston, so give me the Lakers on Monday.

Final Score Prediction: Lakers: 123 | Rockets: 118

Lakers vs. Rockets Best Bet

This game features one of the highest totals on Monday's NBA slate for a reason. The Rockets are allowing a whopping 120.6 points per away game (No. 27 in NBA), while the Lakers are giving up 117.7 points per game overall (No. 26 in NBA). Neither one of these defenses can get consistent stops.

This is the first time these teams have met this season, but their four matchups last season averaged 235 total points. The total has hit the over in six of Houston's last seven games played on a Monday as well as in 24 of LA's 43 games this year. Back an offensive shootout at Crypto.com Arena.

Bet: Over 236 Points (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.